Disk device with support means

ABSTRACT

A disk device providing disk storage and disk playing capabilities. The disk storage being provided along a vertical column. Upon the retrieval of a desired disk from the disk storage, the desired disk is rotated around the column so that it may move up and down the column into a playing position. Upon reaching the playing position the disk is provided to a disk playing device for playing the disk.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional co-pending application Ser. No.09/780,345, filed on Feb. 12, 2001, which is a Continuation ofco-pending International Application PCT/JP99/03318 filed Jun. 22, 1999the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference andfor which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §120.

This application is a continuation of international Application No.PCT/JP99/03318, whose international filing date is Jun. 22, 1999, thedisclosures of which Application are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a disk device. In particular, thepresent invention relates to a disk device adapted to operate aplurality of disks selectively without using a detachable magazine.

2. Description of Related Art

FIG. 104 is a schematic cross sectional view showing the main componentsof a general conventional disk device adapted to operate a plurality ofdisks selectively. FIG. 105 is another schematic cross sectional view ofmain components.

In FIGS. 104 and 105, reference numeral 1 denotes a magazine loadinginterchangeable disks and 2 is a disk drive section. The disk drivesection 2 comprises a disk motor 3, a disk clamp hub 13 provided on ashaft of the disk motor 3, a disk clamp 4, a disk roller 6 provided inthe magazine 1 and transferring disks 8 transferred from the drive lever5 driven by a drive means (not shown) to the disk drive section 2, adrive shaft 9 fixed to a housing 7 which supports the disk drive section2, an inclined plate cam 10 which operates in direction A in the figureand being driven by the drive means, and a vertical guide plate 11.

In the above disk device, when extracting (hereafter selecting) aplurality of disks 8 loaded in the magazine 1, the drive shaft 9,inclined plate cam 10 and vertical guide plate 11 are respectivelydisplaced. The disk rotation drive section 2 is displaced in thedirection B shown in the figure to determine the position of the desireddisk in the magazine 1.

Since the type of conventional disk device above arranges a disk loadedin the magazine 1 and a disk rotating near the disk drive section 2 inan orientation in which the disks are completely independent in a planarregion, the problem of the length of the disk device arises. That is tosay, the dimension D of the device is increased as a result.

A device as disclosed in JP-A-63-200354 for example has been proposed tosolve problems such as the above. FIGS. 106 and 107 are schematic crosssectional views of a lateral cross section of main components. FIG. 108is a schematic cross sectional view of an upper cross section of maincomponents.

In FIGS. 106, 107 and 108, reference numeral 19 denotes a magazineloading an interchangeable disk, 21 is a disk motor, 22 is a disk clamphub disposed on a shaft of the disk motor, and 23 is a disk clamp.

26 is a disk roller which transfers a disk 25, which is ejected by adrive lever 24 driven by a drive means (not shown), to a disk drivesection and 27 is a subordinate roller which operates in an opposeddirection to the disk roller 26.

32 is a pair of inclined plate cams which engage with a plurality oftrays 31 in the magazine 19 and which operate so that when a diskdisplaces in a lateral direction, a gap E at least having a thicknessgreater than or equal to the thickness of the disk is provided withrespect to the disk drive section 20 in an axial rotation direction of adisk 25 which is selected by the magazine displacement means (notshown).

The disk rotation drive means 20 is comprised of a disk motor 21, a diskclamp hub 22, a disk clamp 23, a drive lever 24, a disk 25, a diskroller 26, a subordinate roller 27, and an inclined plate cam 32.

The operation of the conventional disk device will be described below.

When any one of a plurality of disks 25 which are loaded in a magazine19 is selected, the magazine 19 is displaced in a direction F as shownby the arrow in the figure by a drive means and positioned at a desireddisk position in the magazine 19.

A drive lever 24 in the magazine 19 is operated, and the disk 25 slidesthe disk guide 35 in the magazine 19. The leading edge of the disk 25 isgripped between the disk roller 26 of the disk drive section 20 and thesubordinate roller 27. After the disk is conveyed to a position of thedisk clamp 23 and the disk clamp hub 22 which is provided on a shaft ofthe disk motor 21, the clamp position of the disk 25 is confirmed by adisk detection means (not shown). The roller 27 on the subordinate sideof the disk clamp 23 and the disk roller 26 is displaced in thedirection of the disk clamp hub 22 by the drive means and the disk 25 isclamped.

At the same time as the subordinate roller 27 displaces in the directionof the disk clamp hub 22, the pair of inclined plate cams 32 provided onthe disk drive section 20 are displaced toward the magazine 19 by thedrive means. A suitable gap E as shown in FIG. 107 is formed by theinclination of the tray 31.

Since a conventional disk device is comprised as shown above, theproblem has arisen that disks can not be selectively inserted orretracted as required one at a time since a magazine case is requiredand that the size of the device is increased.

As a conventional disk device uses a conveyable magazine case, acomplicated mechanism is required in order to separate each of theloading shelves loading disks in the disk device. When disks are playedand a gap is formed between a played disk and an opposed disk, the gapmay be enlarged as only one end can be opened. As a result, the problemhas arisen that it becomes necessary to provide a space in the devicewhich as a result, enlarges the size of the disk device to that degree.

As a result of the conventional disk device using a conveyable magazinecase, it is extremely difficult to divide each loading shelf loadingdisks in the disk device by inclining each loading shelf.

In order to maintain a space in the disk device, the problem has arisenthat the size of the device is increased.

Since the conventional disk device is constructed to retain a disk outerperiphery when retaining a disk in the device, the problem arises thatthe number of components is increased when retaining sections must beprovided which corresponds to disks with a plurality of differingdiameters.

It has been proposed to solve the above problem by the provision of aretaining section with the functions of retaining a plurality of disksof differing diameters with a single retaining section. However whensuch a device is constructed in this way, since a retaining sectionwhich retains small diameter disk must be provided, the problem arisesthat the retaining section for small diameter disks abuts and damagesthe face of large diameter disks when such disks are also loaded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is proposed to solve the above problems and hasthe object of providing a disk device with reduced dimensions which isadapted to store a plurality of disks without using a detachablemagazine and to perform respective operations, that is to say, toselectively insert, eject and play each disk.

The present invention has the further object of providing a disk devicewith reduced space by the disposition of a disk loading position anddisk playing position on the same rotational axis with respect to a diskinsertion/ejection direction.

The present invention has the further object of providing a disk devicewhich prevents damage to the face of a disk by supporting a section ofthe disk when a disk is inserted or ejected by a plurality of supportsections.

A disk device of the present invention is provided with a plurality ofrotatable disk support means which form a support section which supportsa section of a peripheral section of a disk and a support control meanswhich rotates said plurality of disk support means based on an operationof said disk and which controls a support state of said support sectionwith respect to a peripheral section of a disk. In such a manner, when adisk is supported, since it is possible to support the disk bysupporting a peripheral section of the disk, it is possible to preventdamage to the disk surface and to improve the performance of the device.

The disk device of the present invention is characterized in that thesupport control means displaces the support means after the completionof a disk position determination operation to a fixed position in thedevice. With such an arrangement, it is possible to stabilize disksupport operations by performing disk support operations at a suitableposition, to prevent damage to the disk surface due to disks falling inthe device and to improve the performance of the device.

The disk device of the present invention is characterized in that whenthe support control means performs a disk playing operation, the supportmeans is displaced in a direction of a rotational axis of the disk sothat a disk determined to a fixed position is set to a playing operationposition. In such a manner, it is possible to support the disk and tominimize the displacment distance for the disk to a playing operation.Thus the processing time for the device may be reduced.

With the above operations, since it is possible to retain a disk with asimple mechanism irrespective of the diameter of the disk, the number ofcomponents may be reduced. Furthermore since the retaining operation ofthe disk is performed in proximity to an inner diameter of the disk, itis possible to downscale the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic figure of a disk device according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the components of a disk insertion/ejection mechanism ofthe disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2(a) is an upper view of theinner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b) is aleft lateral view of (a), and (c) is a right lateral view of (a).

FIG. 3 shows the components of a disk insertion/ejection mechanism ofthe disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3(a) is an upper view of theinner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b) is aleft lateral view of (a), and (c) is a right lateral view of (a).

FIG. 4 shows the components of a disk insertion/ejection mechanism ofthe disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4(a) is an upper view of theinner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b) is aleft lateral view of (a), and (c) is a right lateral view of (a).

FIG. 5 shows the components of a disk insertion/ejection mechanism ofthe disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5(a) is an upper view of theinner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b) is aleft lateral view of (a), and (c) is a right lateral view of (a).

FIG. 6 shows the components of a disk insertion/ejection mechanism ofthe disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6(a) is an upper view of theinner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b) is aleft lateral view of (a), and (c) is a right lateral view of (a).

FIG. 7 shows the components of a disk position determination mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7(a) is an upper view of theinner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b) is aleft lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral view of (a), and (d) isan explanatory drawing of the components.

FIG. 8 shows the components of a disk position determination mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 8(a) is an upper view of theinner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b) is aleft lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral view of (a), and (d) isan explanatory drawing of the components.

FIG. 9 shows the components of a disk position determination mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 9(a) is an upper view of theinner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b) is aleft lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral view of (a), and (d) isan explanatory drawing of the components.

FIG. 10 shows the components of a disk position determination mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 10(a) is an upper view ofthe inner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b)is a left lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral view of (a), and(d) is an explanatory drawing of the components.

FIG. 11 shows the components of a disk position determination mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 11(a) is an upper view ofthe inner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b)is a left lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral view of (a), and(d) is an explanatory drawing of the components.

FIG. 12 shows the components of a disk position determination mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 12(a) is an upper view ofthe inner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b)is a left lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral view of (a), and(d) is an explanatory drawing of the components.

FIG. 13 shows the components of a disk position determination mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 13(a) is an upper view ofthe inner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b)is a side view of (a), (c) is a rear view of (a), (d) is an explanatorydrawing of the components, (e) is an explanatory drawing of thecomponents, and (f) is an explanatory drawing of the components.

FIG. 14 shows the components of a disk position determination mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 14(a) is an upper view ofthe inner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b)is a side view of (a), (c) is a rear view of (a), (d) is an explanatorydrawing of the components, (e) is an explanatory drawing of thecomponents, and (f) is an explanatory drawing of the components.

FIG. 15 shows the components of a disk position determination mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 15(a) is an upper view ofthe inner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b)is a side view of (a), (c) is a rear view of (a), (d) is an explanatorydrawing of the components, (e) is an explanatory drawing of thecomponents, and (f) is an explanatory drawing of the components.

FIG. 16 shows the components of a disk retaining and shutter mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 16(a) is an upper view ofthe inner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b)is a left lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral view of (a).

FIG. 17 shows the components of a disk retaining and shutter mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 17(a) is an upper view ofthe inner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b)is a left lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral view of (a).

FIG. 18 shows the components of a disk retaining and shutter mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 18(a) is an upper view ofthe inner components as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b)is a left lateral view of (a), (c) is a right lateral view of (a).

FIG. 19 shows the components of a drive force switching mechanism of thedisk insertion/ejection mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.FIG. 19(a) is an upper view of the inner components as seen from theupper surface of the device, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c)is a rear view of (a).

FIG. 20 shows the components of a drive force switching mechanism of thedisk insertion/ejection mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.FIG. 20(a) is an upper view of the inner components as seen from theupper surface of the device, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c)is a rear view of (a).

FIG. 21 shows the components of a drive force switching mechanism of thedisk insertion/ejection mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.FIG. 21(a) is an upper view of the inner components as seen from theupper surface of the device, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c)is a rear view of (a).

FIG. 22 shows the components of a drive force switching mechanism of thedisk insertion/ejection mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 22(a) is an upper view of the inner components as seen from theupper surface of the device, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c)is a rear view of (a).

FIG. 23 is an overall view of the disk retaining mechanism of the diskdevice as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 23(a) is an upper view of the innercomponents as seen from the upper surface of the device, (b) is a leftlateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of (a).

FIG. 24 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk retaining mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 23. FIG.24(a), (b) and (c) are explanatory views of the action of thecomponents, and (d) is an explanatory view of the action.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk retainingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 25(a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of(a).

FIG. 26 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk retainingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 26(a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of(a).

FIG. 27 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk retainingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 27(a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of(a).

FIG. 28 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk retainingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 28(a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of(a).

FIG. 29 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk retainingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 29(a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of(a).

FIG. 30 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk retainingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 30(a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of(a).

FIG. 31 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk retainingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 31(a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of(a).

FIG. 32 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk retainingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 32(a) is an upperview of the inner components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice, (b) is a left lateral view of (a), and (c) is a rear view of(a).

FIG. 33 is an overall view of a disk playing mechanism of the diskdevice as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 34 is an overall view of a disk playing mechanism of the diskdevice as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 35 is an overall view of a disk playing mechanism of the diskdevice as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 36 is an overall view of a disk playing mechanism of the diskdevice as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 37 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 40 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 42 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 43 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 44 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 45 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 46 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 47 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 48 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 49 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 50 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 51 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 52 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 53 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 54 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 55 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 56 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 57 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 58 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 59 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 60 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk playingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 61 is an overall view of the disk loading mechanism of the diskdevice as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 61(a) shows a state of connection, (b)shows a state of disconnection.

FIG. 62 is an exploded view of the components of a disk loadingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 63 is a block diagram of the upper surface of the components of adisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 64 is a block diagram of the upper surface of the components of adisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 65 is a block diagram of the upper surface of the components of adisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 66 is a block diagram of the upper surface of the components of adisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 67 is an explanatory view of the action of a disk loading mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 67(a) is a cross-sectionalview of the components, (b) is an explanatory view of (a).

FIG. 68 is an explanatory view of the action of a disk loading mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 68(a) is a cross-sectionalview of the components, (b) is an explanatory view of (a).

FIG. 69 is an explanatory view of the action of a disk loading mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 69(a) is a cross-sectionalview of the components, (b) is an explanatory view of (a).

FIG. 70 is an explanatory view of the action of a disk loading mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 70(a) is a cross-sectionalview of the components, (b) is an explanatory view of (a).

FIG. 71 is an explanatory view of the action of a disk loading mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 71(a) is a cross-sectionalview of the components, (b) is an explanatory view of (a).

FIG. 72 is an explanatory view of the action of a disk loading mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 72(a) is a cross-sectionalview of the components, (b) is an explanatory view of (a).

FIG. 73 is an explanatory view of the action of a disk loading mechanismof the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 73(a) is a cross-sectionalview of the components, (b) and (c) are explanatory views of (a).

FIG. 74 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 74(a)shows a state of connection, (b) shows a state of disconnection.

FIG. 75 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 76 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 77 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 78 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 79 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 80 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 81 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 82 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 83 is an explanatory view of the action of the disk loadingmechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 83(a) is across-sectional view of the components, (b) is an explanatory view of(a).

FIG. 84 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 85 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 86 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 87 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 88 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 89 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 90 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 91 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 92 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 93 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 94 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 95 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 96 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 97 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 98 is an explanatory view of the action of the components of thedisk loading mechanism of the disk device according to a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 99 is a state transition diagram which explains the action of thedisk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 100 is a state transition diagram which explains the action of thedisk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 101 is a state transition diagram which explains the action of thedisk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 102 is a state transition diagram which explains the action of thedisk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 103 is a state transition diagram which explains the action of thedisk device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 104 shows a schematic view of a conventional disk device.

FIG. 105 shows a lateral cross section of a side face of a conventionaldisk device.

FIG. 106 shows an upper cross section of an upper face of a conventionaldisk device.

FIG. 107 shows an upper cross section of an upper face of a conventionaldisk device.

FIG. 108 shows a lateral cross section of a side face of a conventionaldisk device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In order to describe the invention in greater detail, the preferredembodiments will be outlined below with reference to the accompanyingfigures.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the inner components of a disk deviceaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention. The respectivemechanisms of the disk device can be broadly divided into five sections.

The first section is a disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 whichperforms insertion and ejection of disks and which is disposed inproximity of a disk insertion mouth. The second section is a diskposition determination mechanism 2000 which discriminates the diameterof a disk and which fixes the disk to a retained position in the device.The third section is a disk retaining mechanism 3000 which supports adisk which has been retained in a determined position by the diskposition determination mechanism. The fourth section is a disk playingmechanism 4000 which performs playing of disks and which is supported bythe disk retaining mechanism 3000. The fifth section is a disk loadingmechanism 5000 which regulates the height of each disk which has been orwill be retained and loaded in the device.

The basic operation of the disk device will be explained below.

First when the insertion of a disk into the disk device is detected,operations to convey a disk into the device are initiated by the diskinsertion/ejection mechanism 1000.

A section of the disk position determination mechanism 2000 abuts with aperipheral edge of the disk and the diameter of the disk isdiscriminated. Based on the result of this determination, positionaldetermination of the disk is performed by the disk positiondetermination mechanism 2000 and the disk is set in a fixed position sothat the disk rotation shaft is in a fixed position, that is to say, aplaying position.

After the disk position determination mechanism 2000 has determined theposition of the disk, the disk supporting mechanism 3000 supports thedisk so that the disk maintains a set fixed position and maintains theheight of the disk in the device.

Then when the disk retaining mechanism 3000 supports the disk, the diskplaying mechanism 4000 is displaced to a playing position of the disk tobe played by a rotational action. As a result, the playing operation ofthe disk is performed.

During the playing operation of the disk, the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism 1000 displaces toward the disk insertion mouth 51 so as not toimpede the playing of the disk.

On receipt of a disk ejection command, the sequence of operationsdescribed above is performed in reverse. That is to say, the playing ofthe disk by the disk playing mechanism 4000 is suspended. The diskretaining mechanism 3000 retains the disk and after the disk isretained, the disk playing mechanism 4000 rotates in a direction whichis opposite to that during disk play and transfers the disk to a loadedposition. Then a disk ejection operation is performed to eject the diskout of the device by the disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 and anentire sequence of operations is completed.

Although the description of the operations above only described thesequence of playing a disk inserted into the device and ejecting thedisk out of the device, a sequence of operations will be explained withrespect to performing switching operations of a plurality of disksloaded in a device from a disk during a playing operation to a diskwhich a user desired to play.

First, the playing operation of a first disk is terminated. The diskretaining mechanism 3000 retains the first disk and thereafter the diskplaying mechanism 4000 rotates in a direction opposite to that duringplaying operations for the first disk and displaces to a loadingposition. At that time, a second disk is loaded in the disk loadingmechanism 5000.

Then after the disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 is retractedtowards a disk insertion mouth 51 to a fixed position which is notopposite the surface of the first disk, a section of the disk loadingmechanism 5000 extends from a lower section of the device while looselyfixing the hole of the first disk to an upper section of the device.After completion of the connection operation with another section of thedisk loading mechanism 1000, support of the first disk by the diskretaining mechanism 3000 is released. Thus the first disk is loaded onlyby the disk loading mechanism 5000.

When support of the first disk is released, the drive means initiates adriving operation. The disk loading mechanism 5000 which loosely fixesthe disk is rotated and the height of a second disk is switched, that isto say, the desired disk, the second disk, is placed in a playingheight. At the same time, the height of the first disk is switched basedon the rotation of the disk loading mechanism 5000 so that the disk isloaded at a height that differs from a playing position.

After the second disk support operation wherein the disk retainingmechanism 3000 operates to support the second disk, the disk loadingmechanism 5000 rotates in a direction opposite to that when the firstdisk is loaded. The disk loading mechanism 5000 separates from the holeof the second disk and retracts to a lower section of the device. Thesecond disk at this time is supported only by the disk retainingmechanism 3000 and is set in a playing position.

After the disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 displaces to a fixedposition in the device, the disk playing mechanism 4000 displacestowards the second disk in order to play the second disk. After reachinga fixed playing position, the support of the disk retaining mechanism3000 is released, and after release, the second disk is played.

The basic operation of the disk device has the above functions. Firstlythe main components of the overall disk device will be described below.Thereafter the five mechanisms referred to above will be described indetail.

(1. Main Components of Overall Disk Device)

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an overall disk device according to afirst embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2,reference numeral 50 denotes a housing of a disk device, 51 is a diskinsertion mouth allowing insertion or ejection of disks into the housing50 that is to say, into the disk device.

1000 is a disk insertion/ejection mechanism which allows insertion orejection of disks into the housing 50. The disk insertion/ejectionmechanism 1000 comprises a drive roller 101 which inserts or ejects adisk into the device, a disk biasing section 102 which disposed at aposition facing the drive roller 101, and a roller displacement means103 which displaces the drive roller 101 and the disk biasing section102 in a range from near the disk insertion mouth 51 into the device. Adisk inserted from the disk insertion mouth 51 is gripped between thedrive roller 101 and the disk biasing section 102 and is inserted intothe device by the rotating operation of the drive roller 101.

2000 is a disk position determination mechanism which comprises anabutting pin 201, a position determination section 202 and a linksection 203. The abutting section 201 is disposed adjacent to the centerof the disk conveying path. The pin abuts with a section of the diskperipheral section due to the disk insertion position with respect tothe disk insertion mouth 51 and the disk diameter of the inserted disk.The position determination section 202 determines the position of disksof respective diameters to fixed positions in response to the diametersof the inserted disks. The link section 203 transmits the displacementof the abutting pin 201 to the fixed section (discussed below). The linksection 203 of the disk position determination mechanism 2000 displacesto a position determination point for large disks and fixes the largedisk to a fixed position. When a large diameter disk (for example with adiameter of 12 cm) is inserted and the large diameter disk abuts withthe position determination section 202, the peripheral section of thedisk abuts with the abutting pin 201. Thus the abutment of the fixedsection (discussed below) which determines the position of the positiondetermination section 202 is released. The position determinationsection 202 then passes the positional determination point for smalldisks (for example disk with an 8 cm diameter) from the disk insertionrefuge position and thus displaces further away.

3000 is a disk retaining mechanism which retains a section of a disksurface near a peripheral section which has been inserted by the diskinsertion/ejection mechanism 1000 and determined to a fixed position bythe disk position determination mechanism 2000. The disk retainingmechanism 3000 comprises three retaining arms 3005, 3006, and 3012. Theretaining arms 3005, 3006, and 3012 are normally refuged to threerespective positions proximate to walls in the housing 50. The retainingarms are displaced to a proximate position to the disk and retain thedisk only when the disk support operations are performed. At such times,the disk is retained at three support points by the retaining arms 3005,3006, and 3012.

4000 is a disk playing mechanism for playing disks. The disk playingmechanism 4000 is adapted to refuge to a position near a wall of thehousing 50 when not performing a playing operation of a disk (includinga preparation for a playing operation) and to displace to a disk playingposition only when performing disk playing operations.

The details of the above components will be described below. However aturntable which is provided at a position at which the disk is loaded, adrive motor which rotates and drives a disk mounted on the turntable anda pickup which reads information recorded on the disk are provided onthe disk playing mechanism 4000.

5000 is a disk loading mechanism which retains and loads disks in thedevice and which regulates the height of a disk by a rotation operation.The disk loading mechanism 5000 operates when a second disk is loaded inthe device, the disk playing device 4000 suspends the playing of thefirst disk and the second disk is played or when a plurality of disksare loaded in the device, a desired disk is selected from this pluralityof disks and played or when a disk height is switched and a disk isloaded.

The disk loading mechanism 5000 places the surface of each disk insertedfrom the disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 into a roughly parallelorientation and retains and loads disks so that the center of the axisof rotation of each disk is approximately in line. In embodiment 1, thedevice is adapted to load six disks.

Although the overall structure of the device is described above, thedetails of the structure and operation of each mechanism will bedescribed in detail below.

(2. Disk Insertion/Ejection Mechanism)

FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 show the disk insertion/ejection mechanism of thepresent invention. FIG. (a) is an upper schematic view showing thecomponents of the device as seen from an upper face of the device, (b)is a left lateral view of FIG. (a) and shows the inner components asseen from the left side. FIG. (c) is a right lateral view of FIG. (a)and shows the inner components as seen from the right side.

FIG. 2(d) is an explanatory view of the positional relationship betweena disk inserted into these disks and the drive roller 101 and diskbiasing section 102. This figure corresponds to FIG. (b), that is tosay, to the left lateral view of the device.

In FIG. 2(a) to (d), 50 is a housing of the disk device, 51 is a diskinsertion mouth through which disks S are inserted or ejected into orfrom the disk device, that is to say, into the housing 50. 101 is adrive roller which displaces a disk into or out of the disk device. 102is a disk biasing section composed of plate metal which is disposed at aposition opposite the drive roller 101 and which grips the disk with thedrive roller when the drive roller 101 drives, that is to say, when thedisk is displaced into the device. 103 is a roller displacementmechanism which displaces a roller mechanism comprised of the driveroller 101 and the disk biasing section 102 in the device along a diskconveying pathway (not shown).

The operation of the roller displacement mechanism 103 will be describedbelow.

The roller displacement mechanism 103 is provided with a motor 1031which acts as a drive source which drives the roller mechanism, which iscomprised of a drive roller 101 and a disk biasing section 102, along adisk conveying path, a worm gear 1032 which is engaged to a rotationalshaft of the motor 1031 and forms a gear on an outer peripheral section,gears 1033-1037 in which the rotation of the worm gear 1032 istransmitted between each gear, and a gear 1038 one section of which isengaged with an end of the drive roller 101 and which is engaged with agear 1037 when performing disk insertion/ejection operations. The gear1038 is linked to the rotating operation of the gear 1037 and drives therotation of the drive roller 101.

The gears 1035-1037 are axially supported to rotate freely on a plate1039. A hole is formed in a section of the center shaft which rotatesthe main body of the plate 1039. A projection 1040 a is provided and amotor mounting plate 1040 is provided which disposes the motor 1031 onthe housing 50. The projection 1040 a supports and loosely fixes thegear 1034 and supports and loosely fixes the hole of the plate 1039.

The roller displacement mechanism 103 has an elongated hole 1041 a, thelength of which is formed in an approximately vertical direction withrespect to the direction of disk insertion/ejection. When thedisplacement of the drive roller 101 is limited in the direction of diskinsertion/ejection by the elongated hole 1041 a, the drive roller 101 isdisplaced in an approximately vertical direction with respect to thedirection of disk insertion/ejection. That is to say, a base 1041 isprovided which displaces in direction A or direction B. On the base1041, pins 1041 a-1041 c are provided which project towards the housing50. Elongated holes 50 a-50 c are formed on a wall of the housing 50which allow sliding of the pins 1041 a-1041 c in a fixed position withrespect to the pins 1041 a-1041 c. As a result, the roller displacementmechanism 103 displaces in direction C or direction D due to the slidingaction of the pins 1041 a-1041 c in the elongated holes 50 a-50 c.

Guide holes 50 d, 50 e which defined the sliding respectively of one endand the other end of the drive roller 101 are formed on each left andright lateral section of the housing 50 with respect to the direction ofinsertion/ejection of the disks in order to follow the direction of diskinsertion from near the disk insertion mouth 51. The gap with the diskbiasing section 102 from one end near the disk insertion mouth to afixed position is marked by the letter X. The guide holes 50 d, 50 e areinclined so that from the fixed position, the drive roller 101 cangradually approach the disk biasing section 102 up to the interior ofthe device which is within the displaceable range of the drive roller101. That is to say, the inclination is provided so that the gap withthe disk biasing section 102 is smaller than X. In such a way, when adisk is inserted from the disk insertion mouth 51, the drive roller 101is disposed on point P and when the disk is played, the drive roller 101is displaced towards the disk insertion mouth to point Q. When the diskloading mechanism 5000 interchanges a disk, the drive roller 101 isdisplaced yet further towards the disk insertion 51 from point Q anddisposed at point R.

A projection 52 is formed in the device on the lateral face of thehousing 50. A gear 1042 which uses the projection 52 as a rotation shaftis engaged on the projection 52.

The plate 1039 is engaged with either the gear 1036 or the gear 1038 bydisplacement in either direction E or direction F so as to be linkedwith the switching lever discussed below. That is to say, when the plate1039 displaces is direction E, the gear 1036 and the gear 1042 engage.When the plate 1039 displaces is direction F, the gear 1037 and the gear1038 engage. 1043 is a rack plate which is disposed to be approximatelyparallel with a surface of the left lateral side of the housing 50. Arack section 1043 a which engages with the gear 1042 plate 1043 isformed on a section of the rack plate 1043. The rack plate 1043displaces in a direction of disk insertion/ejection by the rotatingaction of the gear 1042. That is to say, it displaces in direction C ordirection D. During such displacement, the projection 1043 b formed on asection of the rack plate 1043 abuts with a section of the base 1041 andthe base 1041 also displaces in the same direction as the displacementof the rack plate 1043. Furthermore the projection 1043 c formed onanother section of the rack plate 1043 abuts with a section of therotating lever (explained below) and the rotating lever also displacesin the direction G.

When the rack plate displaces in direction D, the rotation lever rotatesin direction G and the rotation lever is biased in direction H by abiasing member (not shown). Thus when the rack plate 1043 displaces indirection C from a situation in which the rotation lever is biased indirection G, the abutment of the rack plate 1043 and the projection 1043c is released and the rack plate 1043 is returned in direction H by thebiasing of the biasing member.

1044 is a first arm which forms a projection on both ends. Oneprojection engages slidably with a hole formed on a front lateralsection of the housing 50. The other projection engages slidably with anelongated hole (not shown) formed on the base 1041. 1045 is a second armwhich forms a projection on both ends. One projection engages slidablywith a hole formed on a front lateral section of the housing 50. Theother projection engages slidably with an elongated hole (not shown)formed on the base 1041. A projection 1044 a is formed in anapproximately center section of the first arm 1044 and a hole is formedin an approximately center section of the second arm 1045. Theprojection 1044 a is adapted to be loosely fixed into the hole of thesecond arm 1045.

1046 is a biasing means which biases the first arm 1044 in direction Iand which biases the second arm 1045 in direction J. The biasing means1046 is provided with a first spring 1046 a and a second spring 1046 b.One end of the first spring abuts with the proximity of the other end ofthe first arm 1044 and the other end abuts with the proximity of theother end of the second arm 1045. One end of the second spring abutswith the proximity of the other end of the second arm 1045 and the otherend abuts with the proximity of the other end of the first arm 1045. Bysuch an arrangement, the first arm 1044 and the second arm 1045 arenormally biased in direction C, that is to say, the base 1041 is biasedin direction C.

Furthermore smooth operation of the roller displacement mechanism isperformed by the provision of the first arm 1044, the second arm 1045and the biasing means 1046.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the biasing force of the biasing means 1046 isapplied to the first and second arms 1044, 1045, the drive roller 101 asshown in FIG. 1 is disposed at point P, that is to say, it is disposedat a position which is most proximate to the disk biasing section 102.

Point P represents the most proximate position of the drive roller 101and the disk biasing section 102. However needless to say, bothcomponents may abut.

1047 is a disk incline correction section. When a disk which is insertedfrom the disk insertion mouth 51 is not approximately parallel with thedisk conveying path, that is to say, when the disk is inserted in aninclined state, the incline of the disk is corrected forcibly by asection of the above component abutting with a section of the disk sothat the disk is conveyed approximately parallel with the disk conveyingpath. 1048 is a plate which guides the movement of the base 1041 indirection C and direction D. A hole which supports one of the rotationalshafts of the disk incline correction section 1047 is provided in thehousing 50. A hole which supports the other of the rotation shafts ofthe disk incline correction section 1047 is provided in the plate 1048.The disk incline correction section 1047 performs rotation operationsusing these holes as support points.

1049 is a lever which is disposed on the right lateral side of thehousing by the plate 1048. The lever 1049 forms a hole on the surfaceopposite the plate 1048. A projection 1048 a formed on the plate 1048 issupported with a play in the hole and the lever 1049 is adapted torotate and displaces in direction K or direction L using the projection1048 a as a rotation shaft.

A cam groove 1049 a and a cam groove 1049 b are formed on the lever1049.

A projection 1047 a which is engaged with the hole formed on the housing50, a projection 1047 b which is engaged with the hole formed on theplate 1048, and a projection 1047 c which is engaged with a cam groove1049 a which is formed on the lever 1049 are provided on the diskincline correction section 1047.

The operation of a series of disk insertion and ejection operations willbe described referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 6.

FIG. 2 shows the drive roller 101 rotating, that is to say, the devicein a disk loading state. FIG. 3 shows the completion of the diskinsertion operation from the operational state shown in FIG. 2. In orderto play the disk, the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is displaced indirection A, that is to say, the rack plate 1043 can displace the rollerdisplacement mechanism. That is to say, the gear 1042 and the gear 1039are engaged. FIG. 4 shows the refuging of the operation as shown in FIG.3, that is to say, a disk playing state. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show thecompletion of the refuging operation of the disk insertion/ejectionmechanism from the state as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows the member andthe linkage loading state of the disk loading mechanism (discussedbelow) which performs height adjustment of the disk and changing ofdisks. FIG. 6 shows the rack plate 1043 displacing in direction A fromthe state as shown in FIG. 5. Linked to this displacement, the linkedmember (to be discussed below) is shown in a rotated position.

As shown in FIG. 2, the motor 1031 is started by detection of diskinsertion and drive force is transmitted from the gear 1032 of the motor1031 through the gear 1036 to the gear 1037. Since the plate 1039 atthis time rotates in a clockwise direction, the gear 1037 and the gear1038 engage and the gear 1038 rotates due to the rotations of the gear1037. Since the engagement of the gear 1042 and the gear 1036 isreleased at this time in order to displace the rack plate 1043, the gear1036 is rotated by the rotations of the gear 1035.

When the device is in a mode in which disk insertion operations arecomplete and a disk is played, the engagement of the gear 1037 and thegear 1038 is released at this time and the plate 1039 rotates in ananti-clockwise direction since it is necessary to refuge the diskinsertion/ejection mechanism which interferes with the disk playingoperation. The gear 1042 and the gear 1036 are engaged in order todisplace the rack plate 1043. The rotation of the gear 1037 is continuedat this time, however the rotation of the gear 1038 is suspended inorder to release the engagement of the gear 1037. Since the gear 1042and the gear 1036 are engaged, the rack plate 1043 is displaced and itis possible to refuge the disk insertion/ejection mechanism. FIG. 4shows disk playing operation with the disk insertion/ejection mechanismin a refuged state. As stated above, when a disk is played, the deviceis adapted to refuge the disk insertion/ejection mechanism. Furthermorethe device is adapted to operate the components of the disk loadingmechanism to link with the disk insertion/ejection mechanism shown inthe state in FIG. 6 from the state shown in FIG. 5.

(3. Disk Position Determination Mechanism)

FIG. 7 to FIG. 12 are related to the disk position determinationmechanism. In each of the figures, FIG. (a) shows an upper view of thecomponents as seen from the upper surface of the device. (b) is a leftside view of (a) showing the inner components as seen from the leftsurface. (c) is a rear view of (a) which shows the inner components asseen from the rear surface. (d) is a component view showing componentsdetermining the position of the disk position determination mechanismwhen the position of a large diameter disk is determined or when a diskis played.

FIG. 7 to FIG. 10 show the position determination operation for a largediameter disk. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show the position determinationoperation for a small diameter disk.

A switching mechanism 2100 and a shutter mechanism 2200 are contained inthe disk position determination mechanism 2000. The disk positiondetermination mechanism, the switching mechanism and the shuttermechanism will be described in order.

FIG. 7 shows the state of a disk as inserted. The disk positiondetermination mechanism at this time is shown in a ready position fordisk insertion. FIG. 8 shows an inserted disk in an abutting state withthe position determination section 2006 (discussed below) which isdisposed in the insertion ready position. FIG. 9 shows the positiondetermination section 2006 as displaced from the position as shown inFIG. 8 towards to a position determination point. FIG. 10 shows thecompletion of the position determination operation to a positiondetermination point for a large diameter disk after the completion ofthe operation as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows a small diameter disk being conveyed by the diskinsertion/ejection mechanism. FIG. 12 shows the completion of theposition determination operation to a position determination point forsmall diameter disks after the completion of the operation as shown inFIG. 11.

In FIGS. 7(a)-(d), reference numeral 2000 denotes a disk positiondetermination mechanism which accurately determines a disk playingposition depending on the diameter of each disk whether the disk is alarge diameter disk (for example a 12 cm CD) or a small diameter disk(for example an 8 cm CD). The disk position determination mechanism 2000is comprised of the components below.

2001 is a rotatable arm forming an abutting pin 2001 a on one endtowards the disk insertion mouth and a hole 2001 b to which a projectionformed on the housing 50 is fixed with a play. The arm 2001 is adaptedto rotate in direction A about the hole 2001 a and extend by a sectionof the peripheral section of the inserted disk abutting with theabutting pin 2001 a (refer to FIG. 7(a)). The arm 2001 is normallybiased in direction B due to a biasing means (not shown) such as aspring. That is to say, when the abutment of the disk with the abuttingpin 2001 a is released, the arm 2001 is adapted to return to theposition as shown in FIG. 7(a).

2002 is a plate which is linked to the other end of the arm 2001. Whenthe arm 2001 rotates in direction A, the plate displaces in direction Cand when the arm 2001 rotates in direction B, the plate displaces indirection D. A projection 2002 a is provided on one end of the plate2002.

2003 is a first rotatable lever on one end of which an abutting section2003 a is formed which abuts in response to the displaced position ofthe projection 2002 a provided on the plate 2002. On another end of thefirst rotatable lever 2003 an elongated hole 2003 b is formed. The firstlever 2003 rotates about a hole 2003 c in which a projection is fixedwith a play which is formed on an approximately central section of thehousing. The first lever 2003 rotates in direction E when the plate 2002displaces in direction C and rotates in direction F when the plate 2002displaces in direction D.

2004 is a second lever which forms stoppers 2004 b, 2004 c which limitthe operation of the third lever 2007 to a fixed position by fixing aprojection 2004 a a section of which slides in the elongated hole 2003formed on the first lever 2003 and by fixing a projection (discussedbelow) form on one end of the third lever 2007 to a fixed position Thesecond lever 2004 is adapted to link with the first lever 2003 and todisplace in the same direction as the direction of displacement of thefirst lever 2003.

2005 is a base plate one section of which is fixed to the housing 50. Anelongated hole 2005 a is formed on the base plate 2005 and allows aprojection (to be discussed below) which is formed on one end of thethird plate 2007 to slide therein.

2006 is a position determination section which determines the positionof a disk and has projections 2006 a, 2006 b which project in anapproximately perpendicular direction with respect to the disk surfacetowards the disk insertion mouth. The projections 2006 a, 2006 b areformed to abut with two points of the disk peripheral section and thusto determine the position of the disk. The position determinationsection 2006 varies an amount of displacement (displacement distance) indirection G in response to the diameter of the abutting disk (this pointwill be explained in detail in the description of the operation of thedevice). 2007 is a third lever on one end of which a projection 2007 ais formed which is slidable in the elongated hole provided in the baseplate 2005 a. The other end supports a position determination section2006 to rotate freely by the projections 2006 a, 2006 b at a positionremoved from the disk insertion mouth. When the position determinationsection 2006 displaces in direction G, the third lever 2007 also rotatesin an anti-clockwise direction, that is to say, in direction G. Thethird lever 2007 and other related components will be described below.

2008 is a fourth lever one end of which is formed to rotate freely on asection of the base plate 2005. An approximately central section islayered on an approximately central section of the third lever 2007 toact as a center of rotation. The other end supports the positiondetermination section 2006 to rotate freely by the projections 2006 a,2006 b at a position removed from the disk insertion mouth. When theposition determination section 2006 displaces in direction G, the fourthlever 2008 rotates in a clockwise position, that is to say, it displacesin direction G. Other components and related operations will bedescribed below in the same way as the fourth lever 2008.

FIG. 13 to FIG. 15 show the components linked with the disk positiondetermination. FIG. (a) shows an upper view of the components as seenfrom the upper surface of the device. (b) is a left side view of (a)showing the components as seen from the left surface. (c) is a rear viewof (a) which shows the components as seen from the rear surface. (d)-(f)are explanatory figures showing the structure of the components.

FIG. 13 shows the state of the device after the performance of diskpositional determination by the disk position determination mechanism2000 and before setting to a disk playing operation state. FIG. 14 showsthe initiation of the rotation operation of the fifth lever 2101(discussed below).

FIG. 15 shows the refuged position of the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 further in a rear direction together with the completionof the rotation operation of the fifth lever.

In FIG. 13, 2100 is a position determination refuge mechanism which isdisplaced further in direction G and disposed towards the rear of thehousing when the position determination section 2006, the third lever2007, and the fourth lever 2008 participate in disk playing operationswith a large diameter disk disposed in a determined position (details ofthe operation are described below).

The position determination refuge mechanism 2100 comprises a projection2101 a, a fifth lever 2101 and a sixth lever. The projection 2101 a actsas a rotation point and is fixed with a play in a hole formed in thebase plate 2005 and the fifth lever 2101 has a projection 2101 b formedat a position which differs from the projection 2101 a. The sixth leveris formed along the housing, and has a support point 2102 a which isprovided to act as a rotation shaft one end being supported on thehousing. The sixth lever forms another end 2102 b in an indented shape.A section of the rack plate 1043 is fixed with a play in the indentation2102 b of the sixth plate 2102. When the rack plate 1043 displaces indirection A, the sixth lever 2102 is linked and displaces in direction Aby rotating about the projection 2102 a. 2103 is a seventh lever formedin a curved shape. The seventh lever 2103 forms a rotation point 2103 awhich is provided on an approximately central section, an abuttingsection 2103 b which abuts with an upper surface of the rack plate 1043when one end is in a mode other than disk play mode, and an engagingsection 2103 c which is fixed into the elongated hole 2102 c formed on asection of the sixth lever 2102. The seventh lever 2103 is biased by abiasing means (not shown) so that the engaging section 2103 c isnormally in a state of abutment with the rack plate 1043. As a result,the seventh lever 2103 rotates to abut with the housing due to thebiasing force of the biasing means. That is to say, the engagement means2103 c as shown in FIG. 15 is engaged with the elongated hole 2102 c ofthe sixth lever 2102. When in such a state, the position determinationsection 2006, the third lever 2007, the fourth lever 2008 are displacedto refuge in the further position as shown in FIG. 10.

The operation of the invention will be described below.

Firstly, as shown in FIG. 13(d), when the rack plate 1043 is notdisplacing, the fifth lever 2101 does not rotate due to the positionalrelationship between the elongated hole 2012 b formed on the sixth lever2102 and the projection 2101 a formed on the fifth lever 2101.

Then as shown in FIG. 14, when the rack plate 1043 begins to displace,since the sixth lever 2102 which is linked with the rack plate 1043rotates in an anti-clockwise direction, the elongated hole 2012 b formedon the sixth plate 2102 also displaces and the projection 2101 a formedon the fifth lever 2101 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction beinglinked with this displacement. This is the result of the third lever2007 rotating in an anti-clockwise direction due to the abutment of oneend of the fifth lever 2101 and the third lever 2007.

The rack plate 1043 is further displaced from the position as shown inFIG. 14 to that as shown in FIG. 15. The sixth lever 2102 which islinked to the rack plate 1043 is further rotated in an anti-clockwisedirection. Based on the displacement of the elongated hole 2012 b formedon the sixth lever 2102, the projection 2101 a formed on the fifth lever2101 is further rotated in an anti-clockwise direction being linked withthis displacement and reaches an operation completion position. Thus theposition determination section 2006, the third lever 2007 and the fourthlever 2008 are shown as having reached an innermost position in thedevice.

The shutter mechanism will now be described.

In FIG. 16, 2200 is a shutter mechanism which closes the disk insertionmouth so as not to allow the insertion of disks from the disk insertionmouth when the disk playing mechanism (described below) is operating.The shutter mechanism 2200 is formed from the components below. 2201 isa plate which is linked to the rotation operation of the gear (notshown) which engages with the drive motor (not shown) and which isadapted to displace in direction A or direction B due to the drive forceof the drive motor. Elongated holes 2201 a, 2201 b are formed on theplate 2201. 2202 is an eighth lever on one end of which projections 2202a and 2202 b are respectively formed. An approximately central sectionof the projection 2202 b acts as a support point. A projection 2202 c isformed which rotates in an anti-clockwise direction based on thedisplacement of the plate 2201. The projection 2202 a of the eighthlever 2202 slides in an elongated hole 2201 a in the plate 2201 and theprojection 2202 c displaces in direction C. 2203 is a ninth lever. Atone end, a hole 2203 a which engages with a projection 2202 c is formedand a projection 2203 b is adapted to slide in an elongated hole formedon a section of the housing (upper plate). On the other end, aprojection 2203 c is formed. When the plate 2201 displaces in directionA, the ninth lever 2203 is linked and rotates in direction D.

2204 is a tenth lever on one end of which a groove 2204 a is formedwhich guides a projection 2203 c of the ninth lever 2203 to slide freelyand on the other end of which a rack section 2204 b is formed. The tenthlever 2204 is adapted to be linked to the displacement of the ninthlever 2203. That is to say, when the ninth lever 2203 displaces indirection D, the tenth lever 2204 is linked to the displacement androtates in direction D.

2205 is a gear which is engaged with the rack 2204 b of the tenth lever2204.

2206 is a plate which is provided with a rack 2206 a formed on one end,a projection 2206 b which is fixed with a play to an elongated holeformed in the base plate (discussed below) and an elongated hole 2206 cwhich guides the projection formed on the shutter 2207 (discussed below)to slide freely. The plate 2206 is adapted to be linked with thedisplacement of the tenth lever 2204 in direction D and thus the gearsection 2206 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction. Being linked tothis rotation, the plate 2206 displaces in direction B.

A disk retaining mechanism 3000 (discussed below) is provided on thebase plate which abuts with a face of a disk and supports the disk. 2207is a shutter section which forms at both ends, elongated holes 2207 a,2207 b in an axial direction of a disk which is inserted at both endsand which forms a projection 2207 b which is fixed with a play to freelyslide in an elongated hole 2206 c formed on the plate 2206. The shuttersection 2207 is linked to displace with the displacement of the plate2206. When the plate 2206 displaces in direction B, the elongated hole2206 c formed on the plate 2206 is adapted to incline in direction E asshown in FIG. 16(a). Thus the projection 2207 c of the shutter section2207 displaces in direction E due to the guide of the elongated hole2206 c, that is to say, the shutter section 2207 displaces towards thelower section of the device and disk insertion from the disk insertionhole can not be performed.

The elongated hole 2201 a of the plate 2201 is structured as shown inFIG. 16(a) and is adapted so that the shutter section 2207 and thesupport mechanism are displaced in an axial direction of the disk due tothe elongated hole 2201 a guiding the projection 2202 a of the eighthlever 2202.

The operation of the invention will be described below.

FIG. 16 to FIG. 18 show the shutter components linked with the diskposition determination. FIG. (a) shows an upper view of the componentsas seen from the upper surface of the device. (b) is a left side view of(a) showing the components as seen from the left surface. (c) is a rightview of (a) which shows the components as seen from the right side.

The shutter mechanism 2200 is adapted to prevent double insertion ofdisks in order to maintain the operational mechanism of the device whendisks which are loaded in the disk loading mechanism are changed ordisks are played.

FIG. 16 shows the device in a state in which a disk can be inserted,that is to say, in a state in which the shutter is not operating so thatthere is no cover on the disk conveying path. From this state, theshutter 2207 and the base plate displace in linked movement due to thedisplacement of the plate 2201 in direction A.

In FIG. 17, the plate 2201 begins to displace in direction A anddisplaces so that the projection 2202 a of the eighth lever 2202 isdisposed to a lower section of the elongated hole 2201 a formed on theplate 2201. As the shutter 2207 displaces downwardly, that is to say,covers the disk conveying path, disk insertion is prevented. When theshutter section 2207 is displaced, the disk retaining mechanism isdisplaced upwardly in linked motion and as shown in FIG. 17, the diskretaining mechanism is displaced to an upper section in the device. Asthe displacement of the rack plate 2201 continues, as shown in FIG. 18,the disk support mechanism is adapted to displace downwardly in thedevice.

FIG. 19 to FIG. 22 show the components of the drive force transmissionswitching mechanism 2300 which transmits and switches the drive force ofthe motor 1001 to one of the rack plate 1043 or the drive roller 101provided on the disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000. FIG. (a) showsan upper view of the components as seen from the upper surface of thedevice. (b) is a left side view of (a) showing the components as seenfrom the left surface. (c) is a rear view of (a) which shows thecomponents as seen from the rear side.

In FIG. 19 to FIG. 22, 2301 is a lever which is adapted to rotate abouta rotation shaft 2301 a. The lever 2301 forms an abutting section 2301 bon one end. Together with the displacement of the second plate indirection A, since one end of the second plate and the abutting section2301 b also displace in direction A, the lever 2301 rotates in ananti-clockwise direction. That is to say, the stopper formed on thesecond lever 2004 which fixes the projection also displaces in directionA due to the displacement of the projection formed on the third lever2007 in direction A. Thus since the second lever 2004 displaces indirection A, the lever 2301 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction.

A biasing means 2302 which is biased normally in direction B is attachedto the lever 2301. The lever 2301 forms a projection 2301 c on the otherend.

2303 is a side plate which is provided with an elongated hole 2303 inwhich the projection 2301 c of the lever 2301 slides. The side plate2303 displaces in direction C or direction D along the left side of thehousing 50. On a section of the side plate 2303, an engaging section2303 a is formed which engages with the projection 1039 a formed on theplate 1039. The projection 1039 a separates from and releases engagementwith the engaging section 2303 a when the side plate displaces indirection C. When the projection 1039 a is engaged with the engagingsection 2303 a, the plate 1039 rotates in a clockwise direction. Thusthe gear 1037 and the gear 1038 mesh and the drive roller 101 rotates.However when engagement with the engaging section 2303 a is released,the plate 1039 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction, the engagement ofthe gear 1037 and the gear 1038 is released, the gear 1036 and the gear1042 engage and the rack plate 1043 is displaced. That is to say, thedisk insertion/ejection mechanism is displaced.

2304 is a cam plate (discussed in detail below) and 2305 is a plate. Anengaging section 2305 a is formed on one end of the plate 2305. One endof the cam plate 2304 abuts with the engaging section 2305 a and theother end abuts with a section of the second plate 2004. As a result,when the cam plate 2304 displaces in direction A, the plate 2305displaces in direction A due to linked motion. Furthermore the secondplate 2004 also displaces in direction A and displaces the side plate2303 in direction C through the lever 2301.

When the disk position determination mechanism 2000 is not in operation,that is to say, when a disk is not inserted, it is sometimes necessaryto displace the disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000. Thus the camplate 2304 is adapted to displace in direction A due to being driven bythe fixed drive source.

Of course, it is needless to say that even during a diskinsertion/ejection operation by the disk insertion/ejection mechanism1000, that is to say, when the third lever 2007 displaces, the sideplate 2303 may be displaced.

Next the operation of the drive force transmission switching mechanism2300 will be described with reference to FIG. 19 to FIG. 22.

FIG. 19 shows the drive roller 101 rotating with the projection 1039 aformed on the plate 1039 engaged to the engaging section 2303 a of theside plate 2303. FIG. 20 shows the side plate 2303 displaced indirection C by the displacement of the third lever 2007 as a result of adisk inserted through the disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000. Theengagement of the projection 1039 a of the plate 1039 with the engagingsection 2303 a is released and the plate 1039 rotates in ananti-clockwise direction. The gear 1037 meshes with the gear 1038 andthe rack plate 1043 may be displaced. In FIG. 21, when the disk positiondetermination mechanism 2000 does not operate, that is to say, when adisk is not inserted, the cam plate 2304 is displaced in direction A bybeing driven by the fixed drive source when it is required to displacethe disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000. The engagement of theprojection 1039 a of the plate 1039 and the engaging section 2303 a isreleased and the plate 1039 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction. Thegear 1037 meshes with the gear 1038 and the rack plate 1043 can bedisplaced.

In FIG. 22, the cam plate 2304 is shown as further displaced indirection A, the engaging section 2305 a of the plate 2305 completes therotation operation of the plate 2305 by riding over the cam plate 2304.

(4. Disk Retaining Mechanism)

FIG. 23 is a view from the upper surface of the main components of thedevice. (b) is a left side view of (a) and shows inner components seenform the left side. (c) is a right side view of (a) and shows innercomponents seen form the right side. The structure and operation of thedisk retaining mechanism 3000 will be described with reference to FIG.23.

3001 is a gear which rotates due to a drive force from a motor(discussed below) disposed on a lower section of the disk playingmechanism 4000. The gear 3001 meshes with a gear 3002 and this gear 3002meshes with a gear 3003. That is to say, the rotating operation of thegear 3001 is linked and the gear 3003 is adapted to rotate via the gear3002.

FIG. 16 has already been described, however a rack section 2201 b isformed which meshes with the gear 3003 on the plate 2202. Projections2201 c, 2201 d are formed which are fixed with a play to be slidablerespectively in the two elongated holes formed on the housing 50.

3004 is a base plate which forms an elongated hole in two positions inone corner of a lateral section on the side of the housing. Projections3004 a, 3004 b are formed which are fixed with a play to sliderespectively in these elongated holes. A projection 3004 c is formedwhich is fixed with a play to slide in the elongated hole 2201 e formedon the plate 2201. The base plate 3004 displaces together with theelongated hole 2201 e of the plate 2201 in direction A when the plate2201 displaces in direction A. The elongated hole 2201 c inclinesdownwardly as a result, and the base plate 3004 also is depresseddownwardly by the displacement of the plate 2201 in direction A. This isthe result of the device being adapted to mount a designated disksupported by the support mechanism on the turntable (discussed below) ofthe disk playing mechanism which is disposed in proximity to the baseplate 3004 as a result of the base plate 3004 being displaceddownwardly.

First and second retaining arms 3005, 3006 are provided to rotate freelyat a fixed interval on the base plate 3004. Respective grooves 3005 a,3006 a are formed on the distal sections of the first and secondretaining arms 3005, 3006. A section of the peripheral section of thedisk engages with the grooves 3005 a, 3006 a and retains the disk.

An elongated hole 2201 f is formed on the plate 2201 which varies theangle of inclination so as to correspond with the respective differingoperational modes as shown in FIG. 24(d), FIG. 23(a) and FIG. 23(e).

3007 is a freely rotating first lever on one section of which aprojection is formed which is fixed with a play to slide in theelongated hole 2201 f. The rotation shaft 3007 a of this first lever3007 is formed to be hollow. One section has respectively flat sectionswhich are approximately parallel. A projection 3007 b which projects inan approximately vertical direction is formed with respect to therotation shaft on one end of the rotation shaft 3007 a of the firstlever 3007. The projection 3007 b is fixed with a play to slide in theelongated hole 2201 f of the plate 2201.

Since a plurality of angles of inclination are set for the elongatedhole 2201 f, the first lever 3007 rotates being linked to thedisplacement of the projection 3007 b of the first lever 3007 inresponse to the angle of inclination of the elongated hole 2201 ftogether with the displacement of the plate 2201. That is to say, whenthe plate 2201 displaces in direction A, the first lever 3007 rotates ina clockwise direction and when it displaces in direction B, the firstlever 3007 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction.

A rotation shaft 3005 b is formed on the first retaining arm 3005 whichis housed in the hollow section 3007 a of the first lever 3007. Aprojection 3007 c is formed on the other end. One section of therotation shaft 3005 b forms respectively flat sections which areapproximately parallel. The rotation operation of the first lever 3007is linked and performs the rotation of the first retaining arm as theflat sections formed on the rotation shaft 3005 b of the first retainingarm 3005 and the flat section 3007 a formed on the hollow section of thefirst lever 3007 are engaged. Since the first retaining arm 3005 and thefirst lever 3007 have the above relationship, the first retaining arm isadapted to displace in the direction of the rotation shaft with respectto the first lever 3007.

That is to say, the first lever 3007 comprises a section of the diskposition determination mechanism and the disk position determinationmechanism itself does not displace in the axial direction, or converselydoes not displace in a rising direction. On the other hand, the firstretaining arm 3005, and the second retaining arm 3006 are adapted todisplace in the axial direction.

3008 is a second lever on one end of which an elongated hole 3008 a isformed which loosely fixes a projection 3005 c formed on said firstretaining arm 3005 so that the projection can slide. The second lever3008 is formed to rotate about a rotation shaft 3008 b. The second lever3008 is adapted to rotation in an anti-clockwise direction being linkedto the rotation of the first lever 3007 in a clockwise direction.

3009 is a third lever forming a projection 3009 a on one end and aprojection 3009 b on another end. The projection 3009 a of the thirdlever 3009 is fixed loosely to slide in an elongated hole 3008 c formedon the second lever 3008 and displaces in direction C being linked tothe displacement of the second lever 3008 in an anti-clockwisedirection.

3010 is a fourth lever forming on one end an elongated hole 3010 a whichloosely fixes a projection 3009 b formed on the third lever 3009 so thatthe projection 3009 b can slide. The fourth lever 3010 can rotate abouta rotation shaft 3010 b. When the third lever 3009 displaces in thedirection C, the fourth lever 3010 is linked to the displacement androtates in an anti-clockwise direction.

3011 is a fifth lever forming an elongated hole 301 la on one end. Theelongated hole 3011 a loosely fixes a projection 3010 c which is formedon the other end of the fourth lever 3010 in a slidable position.

3012 is a third retaining arm forming a groove 3012 a which retains adisk. The front section of the third retaining arm 3012 engages with aperipheral section of the disk. The third retaining arm 3012 is linkedto the displacement of the fifth lever 3011 in direction D and rotatesin an anti-clockwise direction.

4000 is a disk playing mechanism which plays a disk. Since the opticalpickup and the turntable provided in order to perform playing of thedisk will be described in detail below further description will beomitted.

The disk playing mechanism 4000 is adapted to rotate in ananti-clockwise direction about a rotation axis X and to be linked to therotation of the gear 3001. That is to say, the respective displacementof disk retaining mechanism 3000 and the disk playing mechanism 4000 areadapted to be synchronized.

Next the operation of the disk retaining mechanism will be describedwith reference to FIG. 25 to FIG. 32. In FIG. 25 and FIG. 26, a diskinserted through the disk insertion/ejection mechanism 2000-1000 isplaced in a determined position by the disk position determinationmechanism 2000. The disk retaining arms 3005, 3006 and 3012 for refugeto a refuge position and the disk playing mechanism 4000 also refuges toa refuge position.

In FIG. 27, the cam plate 2201 is displaced in direction A due to adrive force (discussed below) transmitted from the disk playingmechanism 4000. The disk retaining mechanism 3000 rotates approximatelyparallel to the face of the disk towards the disk and retains a sectionof the outer periphery of the disk. In FIG. 28, the cam plate 2201 isfurther displaced in direction A and the disk playing mechanism 4000rotates in an anti-clockwise direction and displaces to a disk playingposition from the refuge position. At this point, the rotational axis ofthe turntable 4101 a (discussed below) and the rotational axis of thedisk supported by the disk retaining mechanism 3000 are in alignment.

In FIG. 29, the cam plate 2201 displaces further in direction A and thedisk retaining mechanism 3000 displaces towards the turntable 4101 a,that is to say, is displaced upwardly. In this way, inner diameter ofthe disk engages with the engaging section (discussed below) formed onthe turntable 4101 a and the mounting operation on the turntable 4101 ais completed.

In FIG. 30, the cam plate 2201 displaces further in direction A and theclamp mechanism 4200 of the disk playing mechanism 4000 clamps the disk.After clamping, the retaining arms 3005, 3006, 3012 of the diskretaining mechanism 3000 displace to a refuge position, and afterdisplacement to the refuge position, the lock of the fixed disk playingmechanism is released and is in a floating state. After completion ofthe operation of lock release, the disk playing operation is commenced.

The contents of the description above were based on the operation usinga large diameter disk (for example a 12 cm disk). However below thedescription of the operation with respect to a small diameter disk (forexample a 8 cm disk) will only detail the points of difference to thelarge diameter disk operation.

In contrast to the large diameter disk operation as shown in FIG. 28 andFIG. 29, the small disk operation is shown in FIG. 31 and FIG. 32. Inthese figures, the rotation displacement amount of the retaining arms3005, 3006, 3012 is increased in order to support the outer periphery ofthe disk.

(5. Disk Playing Mechanism)

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of component of the device according tothe present invention. The operation and structure of the disk playingmechanism 4000 will be described with reference to FIG. 33.

The disk playing mechanism 4000 is divided into the five followingmechanisms, that is to say, the playing mechanism 4100, the clampmechanism 4200, the fixing mechanism 4300, the rotation mechanism 4400and the base mechanism 4500.

Firstly, the playing mechanism 4100 comprises an optical pickup whichreads a signal recorded on the disk and a feed mechanism for the opticalpickup and a mechanism for playing the disk such as a turntable whichmounts the disk. The clamp mechanism 4200 comprises mechanism whichclamps the disk when the disk is mounted on the turntable provided formounting disks. The fixing mechanism 4300 is a mechanism which fixes andreleases the floating state of the disk playing mechanism when playing adisk or when the disk playing mechanism is in a floating state or when adisk is not played.

The rotation mechanism 4400 is a mechanism which is displaced by therotation action of rotating between a refuge position which refuges thedisk playing mechanism 4000 and the playing position which performs theplaying action for disks. The base mechanism 4500 comprises the motor4501 which functioning as a source of motive force which performs fixedoperations on the clamp mechanism 4200, the fixing mechanism 4300 andthe rotation mechanism 4300, the transmission mechanism which transmitsthe drive force of the motor 4501 to the clamp mechanism 4200, thefixing mechanism 4300 and the rotation mechanism 4400 and the mountingbase 4503 which mounted the components of the playing mechanism 4100,the clamp mechanism 4200, the fixing mechanism 4300 and the rotationmechanism 4400.

The playing mechanism 4100 comprises a spindle motor 4101 which rotatesa disk, the playing base 4102 which supports the spindle motor 4101, thepickup 4103 which reads information loaded on the disk and the pickuptransfer mechanism 4104 which displaces the pickup 4103 between theouter and inner peripheral section of the disk surface.

A turntable 4101 a is mounted which has the function of mounting a diskon a rotation rotor of the spindle motor 4101. An engaging section 4101b which engages with the inner diameter of the disk is formed on theturntable 4101 a.

A projection 4304 is formed on the playing base 4102. In order to securethe floating state of the projection 4304, a lock lever 4303 (discussedbelow) provided on the rotation base 4401 (discussed below) secures theprojection 4304.

On the clamp mechanism 4200, a clamp 4201 which performs clamping of thedisk by pressuring a disk mounted on the turntable towards theturntable, a clamp cap 4202 which supports an approximately centralsection of the clamp 4201 and allows the clamp 4201 to rotate, a clamparm 4203 which is mounted on the clamp cap, and a hole 4203 a on asection of the clamp arm 4203 are formed. A projection 4102 a which isformed on a section of the playing base 4102 is loosely fixed to rotatein the hole 4203 a. Furthermore a displacement mechanism 4204 is formedwhich displaces the clamp arm 4203 to a fixed operational position(playing operation position or refuge position).

The lock mechanism 4300 is provided with an oil damper 4301 which isdisposed between the playing base 4102 and the rotation base 4401(discussed below) and a spring 4302 which is disposed between theplaying base 4102 and the rotation base 4401 so that an outer peripheralsection of the oil damper is covered. The playing base 4102 normallyfloats on the rotation base 4401 due to the spring 4302 and the oildamper 4301. Switching from a floating to a fixed state is performed asstated above.

The rotation mechanism 4400 is a rotation base 4401 which is providedwith a playing mechanism 4100, a clamp mechanism 4200 and a fixingmechanism 4300. The rotation base 4401 is adapted to rotate between aplaying position and a refuge position on an shaft 4503 extending fromthe mounting base 4501 (discussed below).

The base mechanism 4500 is provided with a base 4501 mounted on thehousing 50. On the mounting base 4501, a motor 4502 and a drive forcetransmission mechanism (not shown) of the motor 4502 are provided. A camplate 4503 is provided which displaces in direction A due to the driveforce transmitted from the drive force transmission mechanism.

The operation of the rotation mechanism 4400 and the base mechanism 4500will be explained mainly using FIG. 35 to FIG. 44.

Firstly with reference to FIG. 35 and FIG. 36, the operation of the basemechanism 4500 will be described. The worm gear 4504, the large diametergear and the small diameter gear provided on the rotation shaft of themotor 4502 mounted on the mounting base 4501 mesh with the largediameter gear of the co-axially integrated gear 4505. The large diametergear of the gear 4505 and the integrated small radius gear meshes withthe rack section 4503 a of the cam plate 4503 formed on the rack 4503 a.

By such an arrangement, the cam plate 4503 is displaced in direction Aor direction B through the gear 4505 being linked to the rotation of themotor 4502. Elongated holes 4503 b, 4503 c are formed towards the base4501 of the cam plate 4503. Projections 4506, 4507 which extend from thehousing 50 are loosely fixed and slide in the respective elongated holes4503 b, 4503 c. A cam groove 4503 d which controls the rotation of therotation mechanism 4400 and a cam groove 4503 e which controls the diskclamping operation of the clamp mechanism 4200 are formed on the camplate 4503. A rack section 4503 f is formed at positions on the rackplate 4503 which sandwich the elongated groove 4503 c with respect tothe rack section 4503 a. By this structure, the rack 4503 f meshes withthe gear 3001, the plate 2201 can be displaced and the disk retainingmechanism 3000 can be driven.

A rack plate 4508 is formed in the fixing mechanism 4300 and sets theplaying base 4102 to a fixed or a floating state.

With reference to FIG. 39 and FIG. 40, a hole 440 la is provided on therotation base 4401 and acts as a rotation center when rotating in eithera refuge position or a position which plays a disk by a rotationaloperation. A projection 4506 which extends from the housing 50 to thehole 4401 a is loosely fixed and rotates approximately parallel to thedisk surface of the disk which is played.

A mounting plate 4402 is disposed on a rear face of the rotation base4401 and is provided with a projection 4402 a which engages with the camgroove 4503 d of the cam plate 4503. Thus the cam plate 4503 displacesin direction A as shown in FIG. 41 (disk playing mechanism refugeposition) to FIG. 44 (disk playing position) and the rotation base 4401is rotated in response to each groove position of the cam groove 4503 dof the cam plate 4503.

With reference to FIG. 39, stoppers 5241 (discussed below) formed on thethreaded element 5240 of the disk loading mechanism 5000 on the face ofthe rotation base 4401 are guided and determined to a fixed position. Afixing section 4403 which can be fixed to the stopper 5241 is formedwhich is fixed to the stopper 5241 during disk playing and released fromthe stopper 5241 during other operations.

The fixing section 4403 has a width which corresponds to the diameter ofthe stopper 5241 and only fixes that stopper 5241 to the positiondetermining section 4403 a, which represents a fixed position. Whenmembers other than the stopper 5241 come into play, refuging sections4403 b, 4403 c, 4403 d perform refuging operations so that the positionis not determined by the position determination section 4403 a.

The position of the position determination section 4403 a is set so asto be co-axially disposed with respect to the rotation shaft of thespindle motor 4101 of the playing mechanism 4100 which is disposed abovethe rotation base 4401. When a disk is played, since the positionalrelationship of the rotation shaft of the disk loading mechanism 5000(discussed below) and the rotated disk playing mechanism 4000 is notalways equal, the disk is mounted on the turntable and a series ofoperations is performed until disk play is accomplished. As a result itis possible to improve the reliability of the disk device.

(6. Disk Loading Mechanism)

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of the outer appearance of a disk loadingmechanism 5000. FIG. 62 is an exploded view of the components of a diskloading mechanism 5000. FIG. 61(a)-(d) shows the operation of the diskloading mechanism components. FIG. 62(a) is a lateral view of thecomponents, (b) is an upper view showing an upper face corresponding toeach component as shown in (a).

The schematic components of the disk loading mechanism 5000 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 61. Details of each component will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 62.

In FIG. 61, the disk loading mechanism 5000 is broadly divided into fourcomponent mechanisms. A first mandrel mechanism 5100, a second mandrelmechanism 5200, a third mandrel mechanism 5300, and a disk supportingmechanism 5400 are provided. The first mandrel mechanism 5100 isdisposed to rotate due to the rotational force of a drive source(discussed below) and a section is fixed to a roof section of thehousing 50. The second mandrel mechanism 5200 which is disposed torotate due to the rotational force of a drive source (discussed below)and a section is fixed to a bottom section of the housing 50. The thirdmandrel mechanism 5300 which is disposed to displace the direction of arotation shaft in response to the rotations of the second mandrelmechanism 5200 and is disposed so that the second mandrel mechanism 5200is engaged to an inner section. The donut-shaped disk supportingmechanism 5400 is fixed with a play to the first mandrel mechanism 5100and the third mandrel mechanism 5300 and forms a projection on aperipheral section which is engageable with the grooves formed on thethird mandrel mechanism 5300 and the first mandrel mechanism 5100.

The disk support mechanism 5400 displaces towards the rotational shaftalong the groove on the third mandrel mechanism 5300 and the groove ofthe first mandrel mechanism 5100 in response to the rotational action ofthe third mandrel mechanism 5300 and the first mandrel mechanism 5100.That is to say, the disk support mechanism 5400 is adapted to displacefreely in a vertical direction with respect to the device and to havethe function of supporting disks.

One end of the first mandrel mechanism 5100 is mounted on the gear 5101through a roof plate of the housing 50. A rotatable first guide member5110 forms three grooves 5112-5114 on an outer periphery. A ring-shapedbiased spring member 5120 is disposed on the inner section 5115 of thefirst guide member 5110 and biases the first guide member 5110 indirection A. The three grooves 5112-5114 open at positions whichcorrespond to the other end of the first guide section 5110. This mouthcorresponds with an mouth of the groove formed on the second guidesection (discussed below).

A hollow first holder 5130 is provided to guide the first guide member5110 to an inner peripheral section 5131. The first guide member 5110 ismaintained on the housing 50 by fixation of a section of the first guidemember 5110 to a roof section of the housing 50. Three slits 5132-5134are formed at equal intervals along the axial direction on the firstholder 5130. The opening face of these slits 5132-5134 has openings 5132a-5134 a.

Three indentations 5115-5117 are formed at equal intervals on the outerperiphery of the opening face on the first holder 5130. Threeindentations 5115-5117 are formed at equal intervals on the outerperiphery of the other end face of the first guide section 5110.

The second mandrel section 5200 comprises a second holder 5210, a shaft5220, a second guide member 5230 and a threaded member 5240. The secondholder 5210 is formed in a hollow shape and one end abuts with thebottom face of the housing 50. The shaft 5220 is loaded in the secondholder 5120, one end abuts with the bottom face of the housing 50 andfunctions as a rotating shaft for the second guide 5230 (discussedbelow). The second guide member 5230 loosely fixes the shaft 5220 as arotation shaft and forms three grooves 5231-5233 in an outer peripheralsection. The threaded member 5240 prevents separation of the secondguide 5230 from the other end of the shaft 5220 after the second guidemember 5230 is fixed loosely to the shaft 5220. Although being securedby the threaded member to the second guide 5230 can rotate the shaft5220 as a rotation shaft. Furthermore a stopper 5241 is formed on thethreaded member 5240 on the opposite side to that fixed by the spring.The stopper 5241 fixes the stopper of the disk playing mechanism whichis rotated to a playing position.

The second guide member 5230 has a gear 5234 on and end face near thebottom of the housing 50. The gear 5234 is linked to the transmissionmechanism of the roller displacement mechanism 103 (not shown). Sixslits 5211-5216 are formed at equal intervals along the axial directionon the second holder 5210.

The third mandrel mechanism 5300 comprises the third holder 5301 whichis formed hollow and has three projections 5302-5304 formed in equalintervals on an inner peripheral section. Three guide sections 5305-5307are formed at equal intervals along the axial direction of the outerperipheral section and three slits 5308-5310 are formed at equalintervals along the axial direction. The third holder 5301 is arrangedso that the slits 5213-5216 of the second holder 5210 guide the guidesections 5305-5307 of the third holder 5301 and displaces the thirdholder 5301 in a rotation shaft direction.

The third holder 5301 forms three projections 5311-5313 at equalintervals on an end face towards the roof of the housing 50. When thethird holder 5301 displaces in the rotation shaft direction, theprojections 5311-5313 respectively engage with the indentations5115-5117 of the first holder 5130. Notched claws 5314-5316 are formedon a section of the outer peripheral face. The projections 5302-5304formed on the inner peripheral section engage slidably with grooves5231-5233 of the second guide section 5230, are linked with the rotationof the second guide and can displace in the direction of the rotationalaxis of the third holder 5301.

A third guide 5330 is provided forming spiral shaped grooves 5332-5334and a concentric groove 5331 on an outer peripheral face and is fixedwith a play into the third holder 5301. The end face of the spiralshaped grooves 5332-5334 of the third guide 5330 near to the roof of thehousing are open and this open face is linked to the open face of thespiral shaped grooves 5112-5114 of the first guide 5110 when the thirdmandrel mechanism 5300 and the first mandrel mechanism 5100 are linked.The third mandrel mechanism 5300 is formed hollow and the second guide5230 is fixed therein with a play. The third mandrel mechanism isadapted to displace in the direction of a rotation shaft in response tothe rotations of the second guide 5230.

A section of the claw 5313-5316 formed on the third holder 5301 projectsinwardly. The distal end of the claw abuts with the concentricallyshaped groove 5331 formed on the third guide 5330, that is to say, it isfixed. Due to such an arrangement, the third holder 5301 rotates freelyso that the third guide 5330 does not separate from the third holder5301. Three projections are formed at equal intervals on the third guide5330 which project towards the roof face on the end face towards theroof of the housing 50.

When the third guide 5330 displaces in a direction of a rotational shafttogether with the third holder based on the rotations of the secondguide 5230 and displaces towards the roof of the housing, theprojections 5335-5337 formed on the third guide engage and are linkedwith the indentations 5115-5117 of the first guide 5110. When the thirdguide 5330 and the first guide 5110 are linked, the rotation of the gear5234 formed on the second guide 5230 is fixed and the gear 5101 engagedwith the first guide 5110 is rotated. Thus the first guide 5110 and thethird guide 5330 become integrated and a rotation action is performed onthe integrated basis. In this case, no displacement occurs in thedirection of the rotational axis.

5400 is a support mechanism. On the surface facing the disk, the supportmechanism 5400 comprises a first support section 5411 of the flatsection which abuts with and supports a section of the inner peripheryof the disk. The proximity of the inner periphery is somewhat thickenedand comprises a section support section 5412. A first spacer 5410 isprovided with which the inner diameter of the disk is engaged on thesecond support section 5412. The first spacer 5410 forms threeprojections 5401-5403 at equal distances on an inner section. Theprojections 5401-5403 are adapted to slidably engage with the grooves5112-5114 of the first guide member 5110 and with the grooves 5332-5334of the third guide member 5330. The first spacer 5410 is adapted todisplace based on the rotation of the first guide member 5110 and thethird guide member 5330 towards the rotation shaft so that the flatsection is approximately perpendicular to the rotation shaft.

A first plate spring 5420 is fixed to the opposite face of the firstsupport section 5411 which abuts with and supports the disk. The firstplate spring 5420 has a larger diameter than the first spacer 5410. Aperipheral section of the first plate spring 5420 extend towards therotation shaft and in the present embodiment four extend downwardly atequal intervals. In the present embodiment of the present invention,four projections project at equal intervals downwardly in the device.These projections 5421-5424 are biased towards a lower section of thedevice.

In FIG. 62, only a first spacer 5410 and a first plate spring 5420 aregiven as examples of a spacer and a plate spring. However thisembodiment of the present device is adapted to load six disks withrespective spacers 5410 and springs 5420 provided for each disk. (Thestructure of the other spacers and other plate springs is the same asthat of the first spacer 5410 and a first plate spring 5420. The orderof first spacer and spring to sixth spacer and spring is provided fromthe upper section of the device to the lower section of the device.)That is to say, these components are disposed from the upper section tothe lower section of the device in the order given below.

(1) Upper biasing member (uppermost step), (2) Plate spring member, (3)First spacer, (4) First plate spring member, (5) Second spacer, (6)Second plate spring member, (7) Third spacer, (8) Third plate springmember, (9) Fourth spacer, (10) Fourth plate spring member, (11) Fifthspacer, (12) Fifth plate spring member, (13) Sixth spacer, (14) Sixthplate spring member (lowermost step).

On the support mechanism 5400, a plate spring (not shown in the figure,but the same as the first plate spring 5420) is provided which isdisposed on the upper step of the first spacer 5410 which biases thedisk downwardly by abutting. An upper biasing member 5430 is providedwhich grips the disk with the first support section 5411 of the firstspacer 5410 and the plate spring. The upper biasing member 5430 isprovided with an approximately central hole in the same way as the firstplate spring 5420 and the first spacer 5410. Three projections 5432-5434are provided at equal intervals in the inner peripheral section of theapproximately central hole. The upper biasing member 5430 is adapted inthe same way as the first spacer 5410 so that the three projections5432-5434 are disposed to slidably engage with the grooves 5332-5334 ofthe third guide member and the grooves 5112-5114 of the first guidemember 5110. The upper biasing section 5430 is adapted to displacetowards a rotation shaft based on the rotational operation of the firstguide member 5430 and the third guide member.

When the spacer supports a disk, since the plate spring immediatelyabove the spacer biases the disk towards the spacer (for example, when adisk is loaded in the third spacer, the second plate spring immediatelyabove biases the disk onto the third spacer), the disk is more firmlysupported (retained).

The projections 5421-5424 of the first plate spring 5420 are all adaptedto extend in the same direction, that is to say as shown in FIG. 62,from a right hand direction to a left hand direction.

Using FIG. 63-FIG. 97, the operation of the disk loading mechanism 5000will be described. Firstly, the principle of varying the height of thedisk will be described based on FIG. 96 and FIG. 97. In the figures, agroove formed on a first mandrel mechanism 5100 and a third mandrelmechanism 5300 will be described. These figures are developmentelevations open along a rotation shaft. FIG. 96 shows a separated stateof the third guide member 5330 and the first guide member 5510. FIG. 97shows a linked state of the third guide member 5330 and the first guidemember 5110. The separated state of the third guide member 5330 and thefirst guide member 5110 as shown in FIG. 96 is set to the position ofthe disk insertion/ejection operation or the disk playing operation. Thelinked state of the third guide member 5330 and the first guide member5110 as shown in FIG. 97 is set to the position of varying the height ofa disk which is loaded in the disk loading mechanism. In FIG. 96, in thefirst guide member 5110, projections formed on the first, second andthird spacers, and the upper biasing section are fixed with a play toeach groove (shows the position of each projection). In the third guidemember 5330, projections formed on the fourth, fifth and sixth spacersare fixed with a play to each groove. The gaps between each groove is asshown in the figure. In FIG. 97, the fourth disk R is shown as the diskto be the object of an operation. Furthermore the projections 5551, 5552of the fourth spacer which supports the fourth disk R are shown. By thearrangement above, when the disk retaining mechanism 3000 supports adisk which is indicated from among the disks loaded in the disk loadingmechanism 5000, a mechanism is provided to prevent the disk retainingmechanism 3000 from coming into contact with linked disks when the diskretaining mechanism 3000 is interposed between disks adjacent to disk R.

In the figure, three respective grooves are formed on the first andthird guide members, 5110, 5330. That is to say, on the first guidemember 5110, grooves 5112, 5113, 5114 are formed, and on the secondguide member 5230, grooves 5231, 5232, 5233 are formed. The threegrooves have the same structure and are formed with a 120 degree phasedifference. When the disk loading mechanism 5000 rotates through 120degrees, this results in either the operation of the raising of theheight of the disk by one step or the lowering of the height of the diskthrough one step. As shown in FIG. 96 and FIG. 97, with respect to thegroove of the first guide member 5110, the right end of the first groove5112 a is fixed to the left end of the first groove 5112 b and the rightend of the first groove 5112 b is fixed to the left end of the firstgroove 51 12 c to form a single groove. Since the second grooves5231-5233 and the third grooves 5114 a-5114 c are formed in the same wayas the first groove as described above, further description will beomitted. Furthermore since the grooves 5332, 5533, 5534 of the thirdguide member 5330 are formed in the same way as the first groove 5112 aof the first guide member 5110 above, further description will beomitted. When the device is set to the state as shown in FIG. 97 fromthe state as shown in FIG. 96, that is to say, after the device is setto a linked state from a state in which the first guide member 5110 andthe third guide member 5330 are separated, the disk R which is theobject of the operation is rotated through a fixed angle in a directionwhich raises the disk by a step, (the first and third guide memberrotate in an anti-clockwise direction) and the device is set to theposition as shown in FIG. 97. The projections 5302, 5303, 5304 of thethird holder 5301 in the grooves 5231, 5232, 5233 of the second guidemember 5230 have the function of retaining the third guide member 5330in a rotatable state. Thus the device shifts from the state as shown inFIG. 96 to the state as shown in FIG. 97, due to the second guide member5230 rotating (the position as shown in FIG. 96 shows the second guidemember 5230 completely fixed with a play to the inner section of thethird guide member 5330).

As described above, when the first guide member 5110 and the third guidemember 5330 are separated, the position at which the projection formedon the spacer is loosely fixed is as shown in FIG. 96. On the otherhand, when the disk which is to be the object of an operation issupported and refuged by the disk retaining mechanism 3000, the positionof fixation of the projection is as shown in FIG. 97.

That is to say, when the first guide member 5110 and the third guidemember 5330 are linked and the disk to be the object of an operationbecomes selectable, firstly the device displaces to the position asshown in FIG. 97. Thereafter the disk to be the object of an operationis set to the position of the disk R. As a result of such an operation,the plate spring member mounted on the spacer on which a disk is loadedwhich is one step higher than the disk R to be the object of anoperation is adapted to bias the disk R to be the object of an operationdownwardly. Thus the disk R to be the object of an operation is firmlybiased to prevent a shaking movement. Thus the supporting action of thedisk retaining mechanism 3000 with respect to the disk R to be theobject of an operation is facilitated.

On the other hand, when the first guide member 5110 and the third guidemember 5330 are separated, firstly as shown in FIG. 96, the disk whichis disposed one step higher than the disk R which is the object of theoperation when the above components are linked is displaced to thegroove of the first guide member 5110 from the third guide member 5330.

Next a sequence of operations of the disk loading mechanism 5000 will bedescribed. In the figures, (b) is a development elevation showing thepositional relationship between the first member 5110, the second guidemember 5230 and the third guide member 5330 during the operation asshown in (a). That is to say, it shows the positional relationship ofthe groove with the projection of each spacer.

Firstly as shown in FIG. 67, the disk R1 is supported by the diskretaining mechanism 3000 (not shown in the present figure). The firstguide member 5110 and the third guide member 5330 become linkedthereafter in FIG. 70 due to the operation as shown in FIG. 68 and FIG.69.

The operation of each mandrel mechanism from that as shown in FIG. 67 tothat as shown in FIG. 70 will be described using FIG. 65 and FIG. 66.

In the figures, the projection 1043 c of the plate 1043 abuts with aprojection 600 la formed on one end of the lever 6001 due to thedisplacement of the plate 1043 in direction A. Together with thedisplacement of the plate 1043, the lever 6001 rotates in direction C. Agear section 6001 b is formed on the curved section of the lever 6001.Together with the displacement of the lever in direction B, the gearlink which meshes with the gear section 6001 b is rotated. Suchrotations are transmitted to the gear section 5234 formed on a lower endof the second guide member 5234 and thus the gear section 5234 isrotated. That is to say, the second guide member 5230 is rotated and thethird mandrel mechanism 5300 is displaced in the direction of therotation shaft (in the present embodiment, the third mandrel mechanism5300 displaces towards an upper section of the device). On the otherhand, when the operation of returning the plate 1043 in direction B isperformed, the linked lever 6001 is rotated in direction D and the thirdmandrel mechanism 5300 is displaced in the direction of the rotationshaft (in the present embodiment, the third mandrel mechanism 5300displaces towards an lower section of the device).

By such an operation, the third mandrel mechanism 5300 slowly rises to aproximate position with the first mandrel mechanism 5100 due to therotational operation of the second guide member as shown in FIG. 68 andFIG. 69.

As shown in FIG. 66, the plate 1043 reaches a position completing thedisplacement operation and the first mandrel mechanism 5100 and thethird mandrel mechanism 5300 are linked as shown in FIG. 70. Theindentations 5135, 5136, 5137 of the first holder 5130 are engaged withthe projections 5311, 5312, 5313 of the third holder 5301. Theindentations 5115, 5116, 5117 of the first guide member 5110 are engagedwith the projections 5335, 5336, 5337 of the third guide member 5330.The respective openings of the grooves 5112, 5112, 5113 of the firstguide member 5110 and the grooves 5332, 5333, 5334 of the third guidemember 5330 are aligned, that is to say, so that three linked groovesare formed. Furthermore the respective openings of the slits 5132, 5133,5134 of the first guide member 5110 and the slits 5308, 5309, 5310 ofthe third holder 5301 are aligned so that three linked slits are formed.

The operation of varying the height of a section of a disk is performedas shown in FIG. 70 and FIG. 71. The operation of varying the height ofa disk will be described with reference to FIG. 63. In FIG. 71, the rearside of the roof section of the housing 50 is shown. In the figure, thedrive force of a motor 6003 which provides worm gear 6003 a on arotation shaft is transmitted through a gear link 6004 to rotate a gear5111 with which the gear link 6004 meshes. In this way, the first guidemember 5110 which is integrated with the gear 5111 is adapted to rotate.The upper biasing section 5430 and the first to sixth spacers areadapted to displace in the direction of a rotation shaft due to therotating operation of the first guide member 5110. In the FIG. 70, aspace D1 is provided between the disk R1 which is the object of theoperation and the disk R2 which is positioned one step above the diskR1. When the operation as shown in FIG. 71 is performed, the gap D1between the disk R1 which is the object of the operation and the disk R2which is positioned one step above the disk R1 becomes smaller anddisplaces the spacer to the position D2. That is to say, the narrowingof the gap from D1 to D2 displaces the spacer which is positionedbetween the disk R1 and the disk R2 to a proximate position with respectto the disk R1 and allows the force of biasing of the plate springmember integrated with the spacer to operate. Thus the disk R1 is biasedin a downward direction in the device and it is possible to preventshaking of the disk R.

The exchange of a disk R1 to be the object of an operation to a disk R3which is loaded in a disk loading mechanism 5000 was described by theabove series of operations. However after the operation in FIG. 71, whenthe disk R3 is played, an opposite sequence of operations to thatdescribed above is performed. That is to say, the sequence of operationsfrom FIG. 71 to FIG. 67 is performed (the selected disk is the disk R1,however this is changed to R3) and thus the disk is played and thedevice is in the position (state) as shown in FIG. 73.

(7. Description of the Operation of the Entire Device)

FIG. 99 to FIG. 101 describe the operational state of each component ineach operational mode of the entire device. FIG. 99 shows the insertionof a disk from the disk insertion mouth, and the operation of eachcomponent up to playing the disk. FIG. 100 shows the operation of eachcomponent from the playing of a disk to the ejection of the played diskfrom the insertion mouth. FIG. 101 shows a disk played by the diskplaying mechanism 4000 as loaded in the disk loading mechanism 5000 anda single disk which is retained by the disk loading mechanism 5000 beingexchanged for a disk to be played. To give an example, the figures showthe operational state of each component when the device shifts from astate in which there are 4 play disks and 1 loaded disk to a state inwhich there are 4 played disks and one loaded disk.

The numerals on the right side denote names of operated components andthe numerals on the upper step denote the sequence of transitions inoperational modes. Each numeral for each component name shows figurenumerals of components with respect to the sequence of transitionalstate of operational modes.

(7-1. Description from Disk Insertion Operation to Disk PlayingOperation)

Based on FIG. 99, each step (one process) performed from disk insertionto disk playing will be described.

Firstly, when the device is in a disk insertion ready state (firststep),

(1) The drive roller 101 and the peripheral mechanisms of the driveroller 101 in the disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 (hereaftertermed disk insertion/ejection mechanism) are disposed at a position(state) as shown in FIG. 2.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 is provided in theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 7.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG.19.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 16.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 13.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 25.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 38 (including FIG. 37,FIG. 39-FIG. 41), in other words, the operation of displacing the diskplaying mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 67.

The set position for a second step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 2, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 displaces from theposition as shown in FIG. 7 in the direction G and is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 8.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 19, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 16, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 13, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 25, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 38 (including FIG. 37,FIG. 39-FIG. 41), in other words, the operation of displacing the diskplaying mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a third step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 2, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 displaces furtherfrom the position as shown in FIG. 8 in the direction G and is set tothe position (state) as shown in FIG. 9.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 19, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 16, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 13, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 25, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 38 (including FIG. 37,FIG. 39-FIG. 41), in other words, the operation of displacing the diskplaying mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a fourth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 displaces from theposition as shown in FIG. 2 to the direction of A and is provided in theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 3.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 displaces furtherfrom the position as shown in FIG. 9 in the direction G and is set tothe position (state) as shown in FIG. 10.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 19and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 20.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 16, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 13. Further it displaces in a vertical direction with respect tothe device and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 24.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 25, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 38 (including FIG. 37,FIG. 39-FIG. 41), in other words, the operation of displacing the diskplaying mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a fifth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 3, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 10, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 20and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 22.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 displaces from the position as shown inFIG. 16 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 13 and the vertical setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 24, in other words, the displacing operation is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 displaces from the position asshown in FIG. 25 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 26.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 displacesfrom the position as shown in FIG. 38 (including FIG. 37, FIG. 39-FIG.41) and is set to the position as shown in FIG. 42a.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a sixth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 3, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 10, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting (state in the fourth step) of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 13, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the switching mechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 displaces from the position asshown in FIG. 26 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 displacesfrom the position as shown in FIG. 42a and is set to the position asshown in FIG. 27.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a seventh step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 3, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 10, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 13 and isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 14.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for an eighth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 displaces further fromthe position as shown in FIG. 3 in the direction A and is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 4.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 displaces from theposition as shown in FIG. 10 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 15.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 14 and isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 42, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a ninth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 rotates fromthe position as shown in FIG. 42 and is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 43.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a tenth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 displaces from the position asshown in FIG. 27 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 28.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 rotates further from the position asshown in FIG. 43 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 44.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a eleventh step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 displaces from the position as shown inFIG. 17 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 displaces from the position asshown in FIG. 28 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 29.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 44, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a twelfth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe switching mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 29, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 displacesfrom the position as shown in FIG. 44 and is set to the position (state)as shown in FIG. 45 and FIG. 46 (the clamp operation is performed).

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a thirteenth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe switching mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 29, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk support mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 displacesfrom the position as shown in FIG. 45 and FIG. 46 and is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 47-FIG. 50 (the clamp operation isperformed).

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a fourteenth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 displaces from the position as shown inFIG. 17 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 18.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 displaces from the position asshown in FIG. 29 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 47-FIG. 50, in otherwords, the operation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is notperformed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a fifteenth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 51 in which the lock mechanism locks the disk playingmechanism 4000.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a sixteenth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk support mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The lock mechanism of the disk playing mechanism 4000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 51 and is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 52.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a seventeenth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk support mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The lock mechanism of the disk playing mechanism 4000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 52 and is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 53-FIG. 55.

The set position for a eighteenth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 displaces from the position showingthe lock mechanism in FIG. 53-FIG. 55 and is set to the position (state)as shown in FIG. 56-FIG. 59.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a nineteenth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The lock mechanism of the disk playing mechanism 4000 displaces fromthe position as shown in FIG. 56-FIG. 59 and is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 60.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

With the completion of the operation up to step 19, the disk playingmode is commenced.

The above explanation concerned the insertion of a large diameter disk,however the insertion of a small diameter disk will be explained below.

The disk position determination mechanism 2000 in steps 1 to 3 is set toa position (state) as shown in FIG. 11. The disk position determinationmechanism 2000 in steps 4 to 7 is set to the position as shown in FIG.12 from the position as shown in FIG. 11. After step 8, the mechanism isset to the position as shown in FIG. 15.

The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 25 from step 1 to step 4. During step 5, the positionchanges from that as shown in FIG. 25 to that as shown in FIG. 26.During step 6, the position (state) is set to that as shown in FIG. 24and continues up to step 9. During step 10, the position changes fromthat as shown in FIG. 24 to that as shown in FIG. 31. During step 11,the position changes from that as shown in FIG. 31 to that as shown inFIG. 32. During step 14, the position is set to that as shown in FIG.30. After step 14, the disk refuge mechanism continues to be set to theposition (state) t as shown in FIG. 30.

(7-2. Description from Disk Playing Operation to Disk EjectionOperation)

Based on FIG. 100, each step (one process) performed from disk playingto disk ejection will be described.

Firstly, when the device is in a disk playing state (first step), it isset to the same position (state) as the nineteenth step as shown in FIG.99, in other words,

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism is set to the position (state)as shown in FIG. 4.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG.22.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 18.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 30.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 60.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a second step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 displaces from the position as shownin FIG. 60 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 56-FIG.59.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a third step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 displacesfrom the position as shown in FIG. 56-FIG. 59 and is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 53-FIG. 55.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a fourth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 displaces from the position as shownin FIG. 53-FIG. 55 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG.52.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a fifth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 displaces from the position as shownin FIG. 52 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 51.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a sixth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 101 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 displaces from the position asshown in FIG. 30 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 29.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 51, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a seventh step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 29, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 sets the clamp mechanism to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 47-FIG. 50.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for an eighth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 29, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 displaces from the position as shownin FIG. 47-FIG. 50 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG.44-FIG. 46.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a ninth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 displaces from the position as shown inFIG. 18 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 displaces from the position asshown in FIG. 29 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 28.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 44, FIG. 45 and FIG. 46. The operationof displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a tenth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 28, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 displaces from the position as shownin FIG. 44 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 43.

(8) The playing section of the mechanism disk loading mechanism 5000continues the setting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 67, inother words, the operation of displacing the disk loading mechanism isnot performed.

The set position for a eleventh step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 displaces from the position asshown in FIG. 28 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 27.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 displacesfrom the position as shown in FIG. 43 and is set to the position (state)as shown in FIG. 42.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a twelfth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 15 and isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 14.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a thirteenth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 displaces from theposition as shown in FIG. 4 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 3.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 displaces from theposition as shown in FIG. 15 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 10.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 14 and isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 13.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a fourteenth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 3, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 10, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 13, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk positiondetermination mechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 displaces from the position asshown in FIG. 27 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 26.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 displacesfrom the position as shown in FIG. 42 and is set to the position (state)as shown in FIG. 42a.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a fifteenth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 displaces from theposition as shown in FIG. 3 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 2.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 10, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 displaces from the position as shown in FIG. 22and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 20.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 displaces from the position as shown inFIG. 17 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 16.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 13, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk positiondetermination mechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 displaces from the position asshown in FIG. 26 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 25.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 displacesfrom the position as shown in FIG. 42a and is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 37-FIG. 41.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a sixteenth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 2, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 displaces from theposition as shown in FIG. 10 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 9.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 20, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 16, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter 2200 mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 13, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk positiondetermination mechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 25, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 37-FIG. 41, in otherwords, the operation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is notperformed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

The set position for a seventeenth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 2, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 displaces from theposition as shown in FIG. 9 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 8.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 20, and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG.19.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 16, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter 2200 mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 13, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk positiondetermination mechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 25, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 37-FIG. 41, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Finally the set position for an eighteenth step is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 2, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 displaces from theposition as shown in FIG. 8 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 7.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the drive motorof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 19, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 16, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism 2200 is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 13, in other words, the operation of displacing the disk positiondetermination mechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 25, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 37-FIG. 41, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

With the completion of the operation up to the eighteenth step, thedevice reaches disk ejection mode.

In the above description, the operation for the insertion of a largediameter disk was described whereas below the operation for a smalldiameter disk will be described.

The disk position determination mechanism 2000 in steps 1-17 is set tothe position (state) as shown in FIG. 12 and is set to step 18 as shownin FIG. 1. The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 30 from step 1 to step 5, during the step 6 isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 32, during the step 9 isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 31, during the step 11 isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 24, during the step 14 isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 26, during the step 15 isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 25, and this statecontinues up to step 18.

(7-3. Description of the Process of Switching a Fourth Disk Being Playedto a First Disk and Playing the First Disk)

The operation of switching a fourth disk which is being played to afirst disk which is loaded and playing the first disk will be describedin by each step (one process) based on FIG. 101.

First when the fourth disk is being played (step 1),

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 4.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 is set to theposition as shown in FIG. 15.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches the operationmode of the drive roller 101 is set to the position (state) as shown inFIG. 22.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 18.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 30.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 60, and the disk playing mechanism is fixed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 67.

Thus the set position for step 2 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position as shown in FIG. 15 in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk position determination mechanism is not performed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 displacesfrom the position shown in FIG. 60 to the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 56-FIG. 59.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 3 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 displacesfrom the position shown in FIG. 56 to FIG. 59 to the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 53-FIG. 55.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 4 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 displacesfrom the position shown in FIG. 53 to FIG. 56 to the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 52.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 5 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 displacesfrom the position shown in FIG. 52 to the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 51.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 6 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 displaces from the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, to the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 29.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 51, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 7 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 29, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 displaces from the position shown inFIG. 51 to the set position (state) shown in FIG. 47-FIG. 50.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 8 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 29, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 is set to the position (state) shownin FIG. 44, the clamp is set to the position (state) shown in FIG. 45and FIG. 46.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 9 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 is displaced from the position as shownin FIG. 18 and set to the position (state) shown in FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is displaced from the position asshown in FIG. 29 and set to the position (state) shown in FIG. 28.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 44 to FIG. 46, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 10 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 is set to the position (state) shown inFIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacing the shuttermechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 28 in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 is displacedfrom the position (state) shown in FIG. 44, and is set to the position(state) shown in FIG. 43.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 11 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is displaced from the position(state) shown in FIG. 28, and is set to the position (state) shown inFIG. 27.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 is displacedfrom the position (state) shown in FIG. 43, and is set to the position(state) shown in FIG. 42.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 67, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 12 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 is displaced from theposition (state) shown in FIG. 4, and is set to the position (state)shown in FIG. 5.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displaced from the position(state) shown in FIG. 67, and is set to the position (state) shown inFIG. 65.

Thus the set position for step 13 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 5, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displaced from the position(state) shown in FIG. 65, and is set to the position (state) shown inFIG. 68.

Thus the set position for step 14 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 5, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 42, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displaced from the position(state) shown in FIG. 68, and is set to the position (state) shown inFIG. 69.

Thus the set position for step 15 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 is displaced from theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 5, to the position (state) as shown inFIG. 6.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displaced from the position(state) shown in FIG. 69, and is set to the position (state) shown inFIG. 66 and FIG. 70.

Thus the set position for step 16 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 6, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displaced from the position(state) shown in FIG. 66 and FIG. 70, and is set to the position (state)shown in FIG. 71.

Thus the set position for step 17 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 6, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is displaced from the position(state) shown in FIG. 27, and is set to the position (state) shown inFIG. 26.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 is displacedfrom the position (state) shown in FIG. 42, and is set to the position(state) shown in FIG. 42a.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 71, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 18 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 6, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 26, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42a, in other words,the operation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displaced from the position asshown in FIG. 71 to position (state) as shown in FIG. 72.

Thus the set position for step 19 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 6, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is displaced from the position asshown in FIG. 26 to position (state) as shown in FIG. 27.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 is displacedfrom the position as shown in FIG. 42a to position (state) as shown inFIG. 42.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 72, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 20 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 is displaced from theposition as shown in FIG. 6 to position (state) as shown in FIG. 5.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displaced from the position asshown in FIG. 72 to position (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73.

Thus the set position for step 21 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 is displaced from theposition as shown in FIG. 5 to position (state) as shown in FIG. 4.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 22 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 27, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 is displacedfrom the position as shown in FIG. 42 to position (state) as shown inFIG. 43.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 23 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is displaced from the position asshown in FIG. 27 to position (state) as shown in FIG. 28.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 is displacedfrom the position as shown in FIG. 43 to position (state) as shown inFIG. 44.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 24 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 is displaced from the position as shownin FIG. 17 to set to the position as shown in FIG. 18.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is displaced from the position asshown in FIG. 28 to position (state) as shown in FIG. 29.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 44, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk playing mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 25 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 29, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The playing section of the disk playing mechanism 4000 is displacedfrom the position as shown in FIG. 44 and the clamp mechanism is set toa position (state) shown in FIG. 45 and FIG. 46.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 26 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 29, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The clamp mechanism of the disk playing mechanism 4000 is displacedfrom the position as shown in FIG. 45 and FIG. 46 and is set to aposition (state) shown in FIG. 47, FIG. 48, FIG. 49 and FIG. 50.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 27 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is displaced from the position(state) as shown in FIG. 29 to a position as shown in FIG. 30.

(7) The clamp mechanism of the disk playing mechanism 4000 continues thesetting of the position (state) as shown in FIG. 47, FIG. 48, FIG. 49and FIG. 50, in other words, the operation of displacing the diskplaying mechanism is not performed.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 28 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displaced from the position(state) as shown in FIG. 47 to FIG. 50 and is set to a position as shownin FIG. 51.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 29 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displaced from the position(state) as shown in FIG. 51 and is set to a position as shown in FIG.52.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 30 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displaced from the position(state) as shown in FIG. 52 and is set to a position as shown in FIG.53, FIG. 54 and FIG. 55.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

Thus the set position for step 31 is reached

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 22, in other words, the operation of displacing the driveroller switching mechanism is not performed.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 18, in other words, the operation of displacingthe shutter mechanism is not performed.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15, in other words, the operation of displacing the switchingmechanism is not performed.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30, in other words, the operation ofdisplacing the disk retaining mechanism 3000 is not performed.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displaced from the position(state) as shown in FIG. 53, FIG. 54 and FIG. 55 and is set to aposition as shown in FIG. 56, FIG. 57, FIG. 58 and FIG. 59.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 73, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk loading mechanism is not performed.

On completion of operations up to step 30, the disk changeover (from thefourth disk to the first disk) which is to be played is completed.

The above description concerned the situation when the inserted disk isa large diameter disk. The treatment of a small diameter disk will bediscussed below.

The disk position determination mechanism 2000 from after step 1 up tostep 31 is set in the position as shown in FIG. 15. The disk retainingmechanism 3000 is set in the position (state) as shown in FIG. 30 fromstep 1 to step 5, is set in the position (state) as shown in FIG. 32from step 6 to step 8, is set in the position (state) as shown in FIG.31 from step 9 to step 10, is set in the position (state) as shown inFIG. 24 from step 11 to step 16, is set in the position (state) as shownin FIG. 26 from step 17 to step 18, is set in the position (state) asshown in FIG. 24 from step 19 to step 22, is set in the position (state)as shown in FIG. 31 in step 23, is set in the position (state) as shownin FIG. 32 from step 24 to step 26 and is set in the position (state) asshown in FIG. 30 after step 27 up to step 31.

(7.4 Description from a Ready Position in Which a Disk is Loaded in aLoading Position for a Fourth Disk to a Playing Operation of a LoadedFirst Disk)

Based on FIG. 102, a command is given to store a fourth disk in the diskloading mechanism. The disk is inserted in a state of readiness for diskinsertion and the disk is loaded in a loading position of the fourthdisk. After this operation, a series of operations up to the playingoperation of a first disk loaded in the disk loading mechanism will bedescribed by each step (one process).

First when the fourth disk is being played (step 1),

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 2.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 7.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG.19.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 16.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 13.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 25.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 37, FIG. 38, FIG. 39, FIG. 40 and FIG. 41.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 92.

Thus the set position for step 2 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 2, in other words, the operationof displacing the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is not performed.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 7, in other words, theoperation of displacing the disk position determination mechanism is notperformed.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 is displaced from the position as shown in FIG.19 to a position (state) as shown in FIG. 21.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 is displaced from the position as shownin FIG. 16 to a position (state) as shown in FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 is set to a position as shown in FIG. 13.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is displaced from the position asshown in FIG. 25 to a position (state) as shown in FIG. 26.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displaced from the position(state) as shown in FIG. 37, FIG. 38, FIG. 39, FIG. 40 and FIG. 41 andis set to a position as shown in FIG. 42a.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 92.

Thus the set position for step 3 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 2.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 7.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 is displaced from the position as shown in FIG.21 to a position (state) as shown in FIG. 19.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 is displaced from the position as shownin FIG. 16 to a position (state) as shown in FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues setting to a position as shown in FIG. 13.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is displaced from the position asshown in FIG. 26 to a position (state) as shown in FIG. 30.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displaced from the position(state) as shown in FIG. 42a and is set to a position as shown in FIG.42b.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 92.

Thus the set position for step 4 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 is displaced from theposition as shown in FIG. 2 to a position (state) as shown in FIG. 3.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 7.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues setting to a position as shown in FIG.22.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues setting to a position as shownin FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues setting to a position (state) as shown in FIG.13.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 92.

Thus the set position for step 5 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 3.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 is displaced from aposition as shown in FIG. 7 to a position (state) as shown in FIG. 8.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues setting to a position as shown in FIG.22.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues setting to a position as shownin FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 is displaced from a position as shown in FIG. 13 to aposition (state) as shown in FIG. 14.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 92.

Thus the set position for step 6 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 4 from the position shown in FIG. 3.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 is displaced from aposition as shown in FIG. 8 to a position (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues setting to a position as shown in FIG.22.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues setting to a position as shownin FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 is displaced from a position as shown in FIG. 114 to aposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 92.

Thus the set position for step 7 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 5 from the position shown in FIG. 4.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues setting toa position as shown in FIG. 15.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues setting to a position as shown in FIG.22.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues setting to a position as shownin FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues setting to a position as shown in FIG. 15.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 65 from the position (state) shown in FIG. 92.

Thus the set position for step 8 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 6 from the position shown in FIG. 5.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues setting toa position as shown in FIG. 15.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues setting to a position as shown in FIG.22.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues setting to a position as shownin FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues setting to a position as shown in FIG. 15.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 65 from the position (state) shown in FIG. 92.

Thus the set position for step 9 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues setting to aposition as shown in FIG. 6.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues setting toa position as shown in FIG. 15.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues setting to a position as shown in FIG.22.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues setting to a position as shownin FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues setting to a position as shown in FIG. 15.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 30.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 65 from the position (state) shown in FIG. 92.

Thus the set position for step 10 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues setting to aposition as shown in FIG. 6.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues setting toa position as shown in FIG. 15.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues setting to a position as shown in FIG.22.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues setting to a position as shownin FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues setting to a position as shown in FIG. 15.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is displaced to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 26 from the position (state) as shown in FIG.30.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displaced to the position (state)as shown in FIG. 42a from the position (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displaced to the position (state)as shown in FIG. 93 from the position (state) as shown in FIG. 66.

The operation after step 11 are the same as the operation after step 18shown in FIG. 101 (for example step 11 shown in FIG. 102 is the same asstep 18 in FIG. 101, step 12 shown in FIG. 102 is the same as step 19 inFIG. 101,) and further description will be omitted. The displacement ofeach component will be described with reference to the numerals shown inFIG. 102. In FIG. 101, the fourth disk is shown in the figure, howeverduring the operation in FIG. 102, it is noted that the fourth disk isnot represented.

When the operation of the device up to step 24 is completed, the playingoperation of the first disk is initiated and a series of operations arecompleted.

The description above corresponds to a large diameter disk. however whenapplied to a small diameter disk, the 12 cm of the large positiondetermination mechanism in (2) is set to 8 cm, and the 12 cm disksupport mechanism 12 cm is set to 8 cm.

(7.5 Description from the Playing Operation of the Fourth Disk to aReady Position Loading a Disk in the Loading Position of the FirstDisk.)

The series of operation up to a ready state so store a disk in a loadingposition for a first disk during the playing operation of the fourthdisk based on FIG. 103 will be described with reference to sequentialsteps.

First the operation from step 1 up to step 17 is the same as theoperation from step 1 to step 17 as shown in FIG. 101, such descriptionwill be omitted. For example step 1 shown in FIG. 103 is the same asstep 1 in FIG. 101, step 2 shown in FIG. 103 is the same as step 2 inFIG. 101 and further description will be omitted. The displacement ofeach component will be described with reference to the numerals shown inFIG. 103. In FIG. 101, the first disk is shown, however during theoperation in FIG. 103, it is noted that the first disk is notrepresented.

The description above corresponds to a large diameter disk. however whenapplied to a small diameter disk, the 12 cm of the large positiondetermination mechanism in (2) is set to 8 cm, and the 12 cm diskretaining mechanism 12 cm is set to 8 cm.

The set position in step 18 is set as follows.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 is set to the position(state) as shown in FIG. 6.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 is set to theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG.21.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 15.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 26.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 42a.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 is set to the position (state) asshown in FIG. 90.

Thus the set position for step 19 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 6.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 21.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is displaced to a position asshown in FIG. 27 from a position (state) as shown in FIG. 26.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displaced from the position(state) as shown in FIG. 42a and is set to a position as shown in FIG.42b.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 90.

Thus the set position for step 20 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 is displaced from theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 6 and is set to a position as shown inFIG. 5.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 21.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 27.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 is displaced from the position(state) as shown in FIG. 90 and is set to a position as shown in FIG. 65and FIG. 91.

Thus the set position for step 21 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 is displaced from theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 5 and is set to a position as shown inFIG. 4.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 15.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 21.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 15.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 27.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 91.

Thus the set position for step 22 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 4.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 is displaced from theposition as shown in FIG. 15 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 8.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 21.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 is displaced from the position as shown in FIG. 15 and isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 14.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 27.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 91.

Thus the set position for step 23 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 is displaced from theposition as shown in FIG. 4 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 3.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 is displaced from theposition as shown in FIG. 8 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 7.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 continues the setting of the position (state) asshown in FIG. 21.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 is displaced from the position as shown in FIG. 14 and isset to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 13.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 27.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 42b.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 91.

Thus the set position for step 24 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 continues the setting ofthe position (state) as shown in FIG. 3.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 7.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 is displaced from the position as shown in FIG.22 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 21.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 13.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is displaced from the position asshown in FIG. 27 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 26.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displaced from the position asshown in FIG. 42b and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG.42a.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 91.

Thus the set position for step 25 is reached.

(1) The disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 is displaced from theposition as shown in FIG. 3 and is set to the position (state) as shownin FIG. 2.

(2) The disk position determination mechanism 2000 continues the settingof the position (state) as shown in FIG. 7.

(3) The drive roller switching mechanism which switches operational modeof the drive roller 101 is displaced from the position as shown in FIG.21 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 19.

(4) The shutter mechanism 2200 continues the setting of the position(state) as shown in FIG. 17.

(5) The switching mechanism 2300 in the disk position determinationmechanism 2000 continues the setting of the position (state) as shown inFIG. 13.

(6) The disk retaining mechanism 3000 is displaced from the position asshown in FIG. 26 and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG. 25.

(7) The disk playing mechanism 4000 is displaced from the position asshown in FIG. 42a and is set to the position (state) as shown in FIG.37, FIG. 38, FIG. 39, FIG. 40, and FIG. 41.

(8) The disk loading mechanism 5000 continues the setting of theposition (state) as shown in FIG. 65 and FIG. 91.

With the completion of operations up to step 25, the device is in aready state for disk insertion to that a first disk may be loaded in aloading position for the first disk and a sequence of operations iscompleted.

Thus as shown above, since it is not necessary to use an abuttingoperation on the recording face of a disk when loading a disk due to thefact that a disk is loaded using an inner diameter of the disk, it ispossible to reduce damage in particular to the recorded face of the diskand increase device reliability.

Furthermore since any type of disk (for example, a 12 cm CD or a 8 cmCD) may be handled irrespective of the size of the disk diameter, it ispossible to increase user friendliness.

Since the axial center of the loading position of the disk and the axialcenter of the playing position of the disk are aligned, the axial centerdoes not diverge and an operation to align the axial center during diskexchange operations or the like is unnecessary. As a result, it ispossible to reduce processing time.

Since it is possible to handle any type of disk irrespective of diskdiameter by constituting the disk playing mechanism with a rotating typeof mechanism, user friendliness of the device is enhanced.

Even if there is an irregularity in the thickness of the disk due to thebiasing force of the plate spring member as a result of mounting theplate spring member in the spacer of the disk loading mechanism, it ispossible to reduce shaking and to improve device performance.

Even in positions in which a disk is not loaded in the spacer of thedisk loading mechanism, it is possible to reduce shaking due to thebiasing force of the plate spring member as a result of mounting theplate spring member in the space of the disk loading mechanism and toimprove device reliability.

The provision of a stopper which is fixed at positions outside therotational shaft of the disk playing mechanism allows the disk to besupported at two positions, namely, the rotation shaft and the stopperwhen the disk is played. Thus the performance of the anti-vibrationmechanism provided in the disk playing mechanism can be improved and itis possible to stabilize the playing of the disk and improve deviceperformance.

Since the axial center of the disk playing device and the axial centerof the stopper which stops the disk playing mechanism during diskplaying operations are aligned, it is possible to minimize theoperational distance from the disk loading position to the disk playingposition, to reduce transfer time from the disk loading position to thedisk playing position and to reduce processing time in the device.

Since the gap with the spacer which is proximate to the spacer of thedisk which is to be played is greater than the gap between spacers whichare not proximate, it is possible to operate the disk support mechanismwhen supporting the disk which is to be played and it is possible toimprove device reliability as a result.

Since the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is adapted to be refuged bythe face of the projection during disk exchange, it is possible to usethe spacer normally setting the disk insertion/ejection mechanism as asection of the spacer required during disk playing, thus enabling thedownsizing of the device.

Since the disk insertion/ejection mechanism is adapted to displace inthe direction of disk insertion/ejection, it is possible to displace thedisk insertion/ejection mechanism to near a fixed disk position when thedevice is in a ready state for disk insertion. Thus it is possible toinsert a small diameter disk into the device in a stable manner, that isto say, it is possible to insert a disk accurately into the deviceirrespective of the type of disk diameter and thus to improve theperformance of the device.

Since respective disks may be freely inserted and ejected independentlyone by one, user friendliness is enhanced.

Embodiment 2

A second embodiment of the disk device of the present invention will beexplained with reference to FIG. 98. In the first embodiment asdiscussed above, a gap was provided between respective grooves formedbetween the first guide member 5110 and the third guide member 5330 andthe size of this gap is adapted to differ. However an arrangement ofgaps formed at equal intervals as shown in FIG. 98 may be employed. Thusit is possible to increase the speed of the switching operation to eachmode, that is to say, it is possible to improve the processing speed ofthe device.

Embodiment 3

A third embodiment of the device will be discussed below. In the firstembodiment as discussed above, the displacement of each component wasdescribed in each operational mode on the basis of FIG. 86 to FIG. 88.The operation of each component set in the respective modes may berespectively synchronized, that is to say, that the displacementoperations may be linked.

Since each component is synchronized in such an arrangement, it ispossible to increase the speed of the displacement operations, toimprove the reliability of the device and to reduce processing time.

Embodiment 4

A fourth embodiment of the device will be discussed below. In the firstembodiment as discussed above, the manner in which components areswitched during displacement operations in the progression ofoperational modes was not noted. However normally although the devicemay be adapted so that switching occurs gradually during switchedoperational modes, the same result may be obtained by switching whichoccurs collectively.

Embodiment 5

A fifth embodiment of the device will be discussed below. In the firstembodiment as discussed above, the disk insertion/ejection mechanism1000 comprised a disk biasing section 102 which functions as a mechanismto grip the disk and which does not have a member for rotation with thea drive roller 101 which drives rotation. However variation of the diskbiasing section into a roller member is also possible and such anarrangement allows the prevention of damage to the disk surface.

Embodiment 6

A sixth embodiment of the device will be discussed below. In the firstembodiment as discussed above, when a disk is inserted into the device,it has not been noted in which manner the operation is performedautomatically. However when a disk is inserted from the disk insertionmouth, the disk insertion/ejection mechanism 1000 inserts the disk, thedisk retaining mechanism 3000 retains the disk, and the disk is set tobe played by the disk playing mechanism 4000. That is to say, the simpleinsertion of a disk results in the setting of the disk to be played.Such an arrangement increases user friendliness.

Embodiment 7

A seventh embodiment of the device will be discussed below. It has beennoted that first retaining arm 3005 to third retaining arm 3012 areprovided on the disk retaining mechanism 3000. However a corner of thegroove formed on the first to third retaining arms 3005, 3006, 3012 maybe beveled. Such an arrangement prevents damage to the surface of thedisk.

Embodiment 8

A eighth embodiment of the device will be discussed below. In the secondembodiment as discussed above, since the gap of each spacer whichsupports the disk has been placed closely together, disk movement due toexternal force or the like are reduced and the plate spring memberprovided in each spacer may be omitted. Thus it is possible to reducethe number of components and to reduce manufacturing costs.

Embodiment 9

A ninth embodiment of the device will be discussed below. In the firstembodiment as discussed above, a plate spring member is mounted in thespacer section. However a pressure spring may be provided instead of theplate spring member and an equivalent effect obtained.

Embodiment 10

A tenth embodiment of the device will be discussed below. In the firstembodiment as discussed above, a retaining member for a reduced spacemay be provided by a plate spring member which retains the innerdiameter of the disk on the engaging section of the spacer. Such anarrangement allows the strengthening of disk support and reduction inthe movement of the disk due to external forces or the like. Thus theplate spring member may be omitted and it is possible to downsize thedevice. Embodiment 11

An eleventh embodiment of the device will be discussed below. In thefirst embodiment as discussed above, grooves were formed on the firstguide member and third guide member which loosely fixes the projectionof the spacer and spacer. A plurality of three or more of such groovesmay be provided to prevent shaking of the spacer and the improve thereliability of the device.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As shown above, the disk device of the present invention is adapted foruse as a disk device mounted in a vehicle with a reduced size andadapted for each operation of loading a plurality of disks without theprovision of a loading magazine, that is to say, perform the operationsof selectively inserting, ejecting and playing each disk.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disk device comprising: a disk loadingmechanism including a first mandrel mechanism and a second mandrelmechanism which are separated from and linked up with each other,wherein said first mandrel mechanism and said second mandrel mechanismstore a plurality of disks each of which are fixed loosely on a holeformed in an inner diameter of the disk, and a height position of theplurality of disks stored is changed in response to the rotation of saidfirst mandrel mechanism and said second mandrel mechanism; a diskplaying mechanism rotated from a predetermined height position in ahousing to a predetermined height position between said first mandrelmechanism and said second mandrel mechanism which are separated fromeach other, and the latter height position where the center of aturntable mounted by the disk substantially matches with the shaftcenter of said first mandrel mechanism and said second mandrelmechanism; a disk retaining mechanism which retains a plurality ofsections of the outer periphery of said disk so that in a predeterminedheight position between said first mandrel mechanism and said secondmandrel mechanism which are separated from each other, the center ofsaid turn table provided for said disk playing mechanism and the shaftcenter of said fixing means substantially can match with the center ofthe inner diameter of the disk.
 2. The disk device according to claim 1,wherein the disk retaining mechanism is provided with a plurality ofrotatable support means which are formed with a support section whichsupports a section of the periphery of the disk, and a support controlmeans for controlling the supporting of said disk of said supportportion by rotating the plurality of support means.
 3. The disk deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the support control means is set tooperate the support means after a disk positioning operation iscompleted to a predetermined position in the device.
 4. The disk deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the support control means is adapted todisplace the support means in the direction of the rotational axis ofsaid disk so that the disk positioned at a predetermined section is setto a play operation position when executing a playing operation of thedisk.